Lake View Crime is Up, Actual Burglars Explain Why

With Lake View police reports getting longer, Chicago Police from the 19^th District on Addison Street are sharing a few insider details about burglars and the houses they tend to target.

In Lake View Patch’s most recent police reports, which only covered three days worth of crime, more than 25 burglary and theft cases were reported to police. And according to Ald. Tom Tunney’s (44^th) Chief of Staff, Bennett Lawson, Lake View is a prime location for these criminals to score big.

“We’re dealing with our summer uptick in crime,” Lawson said. “Our crime is largely property crime, like theft from a home and theft from auto. I think it’s around 90 percent of our crime. We’re a target-rich environment because we have nice TVs, we have nice watches, we have things that people can sell quickly for money.”

That’s why Lake View police released a list of “21 things a burglar won’t tell you,” that originally appeared in Reader's Digest. Gathered from actual convicted burglars in other states, the list is a summary of what more than 100 thieves admitted about their so-called craft, and local police want residents to take notice.  

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1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.

4. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

5. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.

8. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

9. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

"Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste, and taste means there are nice things inside."

10. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return easier.

11. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste, and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

12. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

13. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

14. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

15. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

16. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

17. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)

18. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawers? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

19. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

20. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

21. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.

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