October case data compiled by the Houston Police Department indicates that burglary and theft continue to be a problem in the community.
“Over the past few months, with the economy still hard and some people still not working, we have seen a significant increase in shoplifting and burglary,” Chief Jim McNiell said. “We’re seeing a lot of vehicles being entered and a lot of homes being burglarized, and I can’t emphasize enough to people to safeguard their homes and their vehicles.
“Don’t leave wallets and purses in plain view in your vehicle, and make sure to lock your doors. Also make sure you lock the doors when you leave home and leave a light on at night.”
Identify theft is on the increase locally as well, and McNiell said people can also make that harder for criminals.
“Shred old bills and papers that have your account information on them,” he said, “and don’t leave anything out where someone can get to it and use it.”
McNiell points out that the shopping season can give thieves another opportunity to strike and measures can be taken to curb their efforts.
“With the holidays coming up and the buying of lots of packages, make sure to conceal things you buy by covering them up with a blanket or putting them in the trunk,” he said. “We’ve had some vehicles stolen recently that had the keys still in them. Taking them with you won’t make it so easy for a thief to take your car. Just use a little common sense and secure your property, because there are people out there who are looking for the opportunity to obtain something at someone else’s expense.”
Houston police still provide the service of assisting people who lock their keys in their cars. But that, too, is on the increase, and officers unlocked 33 cars in October.
“Since I’ve been here, we’ve unlocked as few as 15 in a month,” McNiell said. “But lately we’ve been seeing some upper 20s, and then last month we reached our highest total.
“Unfortunately some of these are repeat customers; we’ve unlocked a vehicle for people who have left their keys in their vehicle three or four times. Of course, we want people to lock their cars, but they need to remember to remove the keys.”
Houston police finished October having logged 403 cases so far in 2011, already well over the 329 for all of 2010.
Just use a little common sense and secure your property, becausethere are people out there who are looking for the opportunity toobtain something at someone else’s expense.”