Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: July 9 to July 15

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

Part I felony cases reported to the last week totaled 19, down from 27 the previous week. While robberies, residential and commercial burglaries increased, vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts declined. Field deputies handled 250 calls for service, which is down from 281 the week before. The current 2012 weekly average incalls for service is 267

ROBBERIES

After no reported robberies in the past two summaries, one was recorded last week. A male and female suspect entered a residence in the 16700 block of Cedarwood Circle on Thursday July 12 at 6:15 p.m. and took a laptop computer from a juvenile victim.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries increased from one to two last week. An open bedroom window and a window smash were used as entry points in the cases last week. Jewelry and handguns were the reported loss. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 4.3

Sheriff's safety tip: Perform an “exit check” when you leave your home by checking to ensure that all of the doors and windows are locked and secure. Make it difficult for a thief to make you a victim! 

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial burglaries were up from one to three last week. All three structures were closed businesses where copper wire and copper pipe were taken. The 2012 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is 1.8.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries decreased from nine to seven last week. High-volume commercial parking lots were involved in four cases last week. SUVs were targeted in four. Purses, ID, wallets, credit cards, sunglasses and MP3 players were missing. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 7.6.

Sheriff's safety tip: 

Visible property inside of the passenger compartment of your vehicle is all the potential thief needs to see to break your window and steal your property. The best way to avoid this is to secure the property or take it with you.

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts were down again from four to two last week. One incident occurred in a parking lot. An SUV and a Datsun were stolen. The new 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 3.4.

Sheriff's safety tip: Add protection to your vehicle. A steering wheel locking device forces the thief to work harder, which usually results in locating an easier vehicle to steal. This is crucial if you own a Honda or Toyota product made in the late 80’s through 2000, but those are not the only vehicles we see taken.

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

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.