Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Jan. 2 to Jan. 8

Editor's Note: The information below comes from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Cerritos Station's weekly crime summary.

 deputies investigated 15 Part I felony crimes during the first week of 2012, down from 27 the week before. Robberies, residential burglaries, and commercial burglaries were unchanged. Vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts were lower. Deputies handled 261 calls for service last week, up from 249 the previous week. With the start of a new year, the 2012 weekly average is 261. 

ROBBERIES

There was one robbery reported during this period when a

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Six residential burglaries were investigated for the second consecutive week. Open/unlocked doors or windows were involved in five cases, and one sliding glass door was pried open. One location was targeted twice during the week. Jewelry, a tote bag, two tables, and a stove were taken. The new 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is 6.0. 

Sheriff's safety tip: With the start of a new year, consider protecting your home with an alarm system. As we have reported many times in the past, burglars will make every attempt to avoid dogs or alarms. Even if entry is initially made, burglars are not likely to stick around when the system is triggered after detecting an intrusion. 

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial/“other structure” burglaries remained at one. A storage shed was burglarized and 20 chairs were taken. The new 2012 weekly average in commercial/“other structure” burglaries is 1.0.  

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries dropped from four to two last week. Three of the vehicles were in high-volume commercial parking lots. All four of the crimes involved SUVs. Checkbooks, cameras, prescription medication, purses, and a toolbox were stolen.The new 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 2.0. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Make sure that you NEVER leave anything of value in the passenger compartment of your vehicle. As you can see with the property taken last week, the victims made it much too easy for the thieves. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts were down from three to one last week, when a Honda was stolen from a high-volume commercial parking lot. The new 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts is 1.0. 

Sheriff's safety tip: 90’s Hondas, Toyotas, and newer SUVs are among the most commonly stolen vehicles here in Cerritos. Make sure you use some additional form of security, such as a steering wheel locking device, to better protect your vehicle. 

* Visit www.safercerritos.com for an extensive library of crime prevention tips, disaster preparedness information, and a variety of links to other pertinent sites.

OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers on Patrol Wanted 

The Cerritos Sheriff’s Station is seeking Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs). Patrolling the city in distinctly marked vehicles, VOPs assist with crime suppression, traffic control, vacation checks, special events and park security checks. They serve as additional “eyes and ears” for the Sheriff’s Department and train as first responders in the event of a major emergency or disaster. If you are interested in helping Cerritos maintain its reputation as a safe place to live and work, the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station encourages you to apply to be a VOP.  

For more information, contact the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station at (562) 860-0044, or visit the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station to obtain an application.  

Block Captains Wanted 

Block Captains act as contacts for the Sheriff’s Department and the Community Safety Division on behalf of their neighbors.  They are also responsible for distributing information and do a great deal to promote public safety in Cerritos. Remember, informed citizens who use safe living strategies are safer citizens!  We encourage residents, business owners, and their employees to consider joining the Virtual Block Club (VBC). If you are interested in helping our Sheriff’s Department prevent and reduce crime, and enhancing your own personal and neighborhood safety, join the VBC on-line at our website devoted to public safety in the City of Cerritos. We encourage you to share the information with your family, friends, and co-workers. Go to www.safercerritos.com to sign up. 

If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain in the Cerritos Neighborhood Watch, contact the Community Safety office at (562) 916-1266.