Residential burglaries tend to increase during the spring, according to a recent Dallas Police Department advisory.
“While people are out enjoying the nice weather, their homes are vacant. Burglars are aware of this … nighttime residential burglaries have increased in beat 142 (bounded by Mockingbird, Abrams, Belmont and Greenville),” notes the advisory. “A reminder to make sure doors are locked at all times, and that garage doors are closed and locked … get to know your neighbors … many of the arrests for residential burglaries are made because a neighbor observed the offense, called 911, and gave detailed information that led police to the suspect.”
The Lakewood Neighborhood Crime Watch recently reported that a home burglar might have unscrewed a patio light bulb in order to determine whether the homeowners were home. Explains crime watch chair Nancy Wilson, “The police believe he did this a day or two before the break-in. They believe he knocked on the door the first time then unscrewed the light and watched the house for the next day or two to see if the light was fixed. When he determined it was not fixed, he broke in through the window.
“If you leave for a vacation," Wilson warns, “store your jewelry in a safe, a safety deposit box, or a secure location in your house.”
Other East Dallas areas, such as the Lower Greenville Neighborhood, for example, have also seen an increase, according to crime watch chair Darren Dattalo.
There were seven residential burglaries between March 24 and April 9, and none have been reported in the area since then.
In one case on Anita, robbers entered through a doggie door and stole two flat-screen TVs, a $1,500 watch, a computer and bottles of wine, among other stuff.
