Garden City Police Warn Residents Of Burglary Pattern

The Garden City Police Department recently investigated three residential burglaries that occurred during the early evening hours on Dec. 3, and police are warning residents on how they can protect themselves.

During one incident, the home was entered through a second-floor window and money was stolen from a bedroom. Rear glass doors were found shattered at the two other homes, with no loss reported at this time. These incidents appear to part of an ongoing burglary pattern that has been prevalent in numerous north shore communities in Nassau County.

The burglars check for homes that appear to be unoccupied usually during early evening hours (5 to 9 p.m.). Homes having no lights or televisions on, at times when they are usually on, give the appearance they are unoccupied. In many of the burglaries, it was determined the homeowners left their homes for only a short period without setting the alarm and without leaving interior lights and/or televisions on.

Considering this ongoing burglary pattern, additional marked and unmarked patrols have been put in place and investigations are continuing. Garden City Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson offers the following recommendations:

• If you have an alarm, use it at all times, even if you are leaving the home for just a few minutes.
• Trim overgrown shrubbery and trees where someone would be able to conceal themselves.
• Check exterior lighting. This includes the back and sides of the home. Ensure they go on at dusk.

• Check windows and door locks; make sure they are in working order.
• Keep all doors and windows locked when you are home, away or just in your back yard.
• Homeowners should consider additional locks specifically for sliding doors, as well as alarms.
• Move and secure items that could be used to facilitate entry through ground floor windows.
• Close your drapes, blinds and window treatments at night as a deterrent.
• Surveillance and alarm systems should be routinely checked to ensure proper operation.
• Consider a panic alarm or keeping a telephone near the bed.
• Leave an interior light on or use a timer. Leave a radio or television on when out of the house.
• Discontinue any deliveries while away on business or vacation.
• Ensure that deliveries delivered to your home are removed promptly by a family member or neighbor.
• Inventory, photograph and have an appraisal conducted on valuable items.
• When approaching or leaving your home, be aware of suspicious persons or vehicles.
• Varying your routine can be an additional deterrent.
• Do not enter your home if you think someone may be inside; notify the police immediately.
• If you hear or see someone in your home, exit if you can and discretely call the police right away.
• Do not try to confront the intruder.
• If a burglar does confront you, remain calm; comply with the burglars' instructions. Remember your life is more valuable than your property. Try to memorize a description of the subject. When the subject leaves, call the Police by dialing 911.

In addition to these recommendations, the Garden City Police Department urges all residents to be aware of suspicious activity around them, and to call promptly during the following situations:

• When your alarm or a neighbor's house/car alarm goes off.
• When there are suspicious noises or persons in your yard or a neighbor’s yard.
• When you see a suspicious person and/or vehicle.
• If a vehicle is observed driving up and down the street for no apparent reason. Try to obtain a plate number and a good description of suspicious vehicles, as well as any suspicious people.
• When you observe activity at a neighbor’s residence when you know they are away.
• If you see a neighbor's door or window ajar, open or broken.
• If you see a neighbor's car door or window ajar, open or broken.
• When your dog barks due to some type of activity outside, particularly at night.

Neighbors can help the police in the prevention of burglaries and in the apprehension of suspects. There have been numerous incidents where the keen observation of residents has resulted in the apprehension of persons committing criminal acts.

In addition, residents with surveillance systems are encouraged to notify the police department when it is possible their system recorded a crime or other suspicious activity either on their property, in the street or on an adjacent property. Surveillance systems, such as video systems, Ring cameras and Nest cameras have proven to be significant tools in the prevention of crime, as well as in the apprehension of suspects.