Crime Stats: Ramsey Averages Just Over One Burglary A Month

Over the past four years, Ramsey Police have responded to an average of just over one burglary a month, which they say is relatively low, compared to other nearby towns.

According to Ramsey Sgt. Timothy Flanagan, the number of home and business break-ins in Ramsey is significantly fewer than those reported in the towns surrounding Ramsey. “Criminals seem to be targeting more affluent areas,” of nearby towns, Flanagan said.

Still, statistics show the Ramsey PD answering the following number of structure burglary calls (not including burglaries from vehicles) over the past few years:

Year

Number of Ramsey Burglaries

2008

12

2009

18

2010

13

2011

9

Police said they could not provide 2012 statistics yet.

Though the number of burglaries are relatively low, Flanagan said there are still steps residents should take to protect themselves from break-ins.

Flanagan said the number of burglaries typically increases in the Fall because it starts to get darker earlier in the day.

“Most burglaries occur at dusk when many residents are out to dinner or shopping for the upcoming holidays,” he said.

He provided Patch with the following tips for residents:

The burglary basics:

• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in. 
• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors. (Keep in mind some insurance companies will not cover your loss if you leave your home open.)
• Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day. 
• Keep your garage door closed and locked. 
• Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly. 
• Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time. 
• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary. 
• Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors. Longer screws (greater than 3 “) should be used on the strike plate so the 
   the screw goes through the frame of the door not just the door jam.
• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for latest products.
• Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

Don't tempt a thief: 

• Lawn mowers, snow blowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight. 
• Always lock your garden sheds and garages. 
• Use curtains on garage and basement windows. 
• Never leave notes on your door such as "Gone shopping."

Locks…get the best:

• No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation. 
• Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen. 
• When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

Targeting the Outside:

• Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
• Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders. 
• Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

Windows:

• Most windows can be pinned for security. 
• Drill a 3/16" hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame - place a nail in the hole to secure the window.

Alarms:

• An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
• Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.

If Your Home Is Broken Into:
If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:

• Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
• Use a neighbor's phone to call police. 
• Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence. 
• Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles. 
• Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

Other precautions you should take:

• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys. 
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory. 
• Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars. 
• Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9­1­1 immediately.
  • Mark your valuables with your driver's license number with an engraver. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
  • Consider installing a burglar alarm system. 

Residents with any questions can email Flanagan at tflanagan@ramseypd.com.

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