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Letter to the editor

Don't Invite Burglars Into Your home

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 2, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG

According to the FBI, there is a residential burglary every 15 seconds in the United States.

Last week in Childs Park, where residential burglaries have decreased 8 percent from last year, an alert resident called St. Petersburg police to report three individuals acting suspiciously. The caller provided a description of the people and said they were near a yellow, two-story house. Officers arrived in three minutes and discovered an open rear door. They entered the home and arrested one person, his pockets full of stolen items. Two others left moments before officers arrived, but investigators are working to identify them.

This case is a good example of how important it is for neighbors to look out for one another and call the police immediately if someone in your neighborhood appears suspicious.

Sgt. Gary Dukeman, Burglary Division, says the point of entry in most residential burglaries is an unlocked window or a side or rear door. Many investigations are stymied becausepeople do not keep a record of the make, model and serial numbers of valuables. Electronic items, especially digital cameras, laptops and games, are hot commodities.

We recover many stolen items but can't return them to their owners or arrest someone who has them in their possession unless we can prove ownership. I keep a detailed inventory of my family's possessions, including digital photos, on an inexpensive flash-drive and store it in a safe deposit box.

So remember to make your home appear occupied while you are away, lock all doors and windows, and keep detailed records of all your prized possessions.

William Proffitt, police spokesman

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 21:33:52]