DeWitt (WSYR-TV) - Burglaries are on the rise in DeWitt, and they're targeting both homes and businesses. Police say now is the time to take precautions to fight back.
The 25 burglaries in DeWitt since January represent an eight percent increase over the same period last year. No specific neighborhood is being targeted, police say, which means residents throughout the Town should be On the Lookout.
DeWitt Police say the criminals use four primary methods for getting into homes.
Open garages with unlocked interior doors are the fourth most common way burglars are getting inside. Once they get in, it doesn't take much effort or time before they're leaving with arm fulls of your stuff.
"They're getting jewelry, coins, cash, televisions, Xboxes, mostly things that are portable," DeWitt Police Lt. Scott Hare said.
The next most common victims are those who leave their garage door openers in an unlocked car in the driveway. Police say that's just like giving a thief a key to the house.
While everyone loves the feeling of fresh air, window screens on the first floor do nothing but tempt thieves with easy access. Keeping those windows locked with prevent the second most common mode of entrance for burglars.
According to DeWitt police the most common way burglars are breaking in doesn’t even make them break a sweat. They're simply walking in through unlocked doors.
"Basically, we're seeing very simple, it's unlocked or it's open and they're going to go in," said Lt. Hare.
It's bad news because it means people are being careless, but it is also easy and cheap to fix. Good locks, good lighting and clean landscaping are all it takes to remove the target from your home.
Has your neighborhood been targeted by burglars? Check our interactive crime map and database to find out.
