SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Situational Crime Prevention

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office's latest issue of the "Partners in Crime Prevention" newsletter notes that burglaries were the number one property crime in 2025. Learn how you can protect your property at home with Situational Crime Prevention.

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7406

 

NORTHWEST FLOODING- Looting Reported in Snohomish Area

The local press quotes the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office as reporting looting in a flooded area in the vicinity of Marsh Road and Lowell Larimer Road in the Snohomish area. On Saturday, December 13, a local homeowner reported that on checking on their property they found that items had been stolen and property vandalized. The homeowner was able to contact kayakers who were in the closed area and recovered their property. The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate this incident.

Securing your property during a natural emergency such as a flood can be difficult. Prior burglary planning and actions can help to secure your property in case you need to leave for your safety. Having deadbolt locks on your exterior doors, locks on your windows, can help secure your home during a natural disaster as well as during more normal times. Security cameras and exterior lighting can also help, especially if your home still has electricity. Having an inventory of your valuables with photos, descriptions, and serial numbers can help recover stolen property. And photos of each of your rooms can show your property in good condition for theft recovery and will help you with your insurance claim.

If you need to evacuate your home during a natural disaster, be sure that your valuables are locked in a safe or locking file cabinet. Also, be sure to include a copy of your property inventory in your Go Bag. And before you leave, lock your house as best you can.

 

My Everett News:

https://myeverettnews.com/2025/12/15/deputies-respond-to-looting-in-flooded-areas-in-snohomish-county/ 

 

KING TV:

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/looters-kayaks-target-flooded-snohomish-farm-historic-flooding-continues/281-3fdd07bc-1cbb-46d6-ace1-0b0dbc85bbe2

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/443/Residential-Burglary-PDF

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7319

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/441/Operation-Identification-PDF

 

 

BURGLARY PREVENTION- Deciding What to Do

Protecting your home from burglars is one of the most important things you can do to secure your family and your possessions. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) helps you evaluate your home and decide on what you can do.

Learn about CPTED in the latest issue of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office’s crime prevention newsletter, “Partners in Crime Prevention.”

 

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7319

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE – Burglary Prevention

While down for 2024, burglaries remain a problem in Snohomish County. Here are some tips to prevent a burglary at your home from the current issue of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office crime prevention newsletter, “Partners in Crime Prevention.”

 

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7261

BURGLARY PREVENTION- Keeping Burglars Out of Your House

 Having a home burglarized is a violating experience for the homeowner and their neighbors. Especially if your neighborhood does not experience burglaries or other crimes on a regular basis. After all, often that is why we choose a house to live in- a place where we can feel safe.

There are things you can do to prevent a burglar from entering your home, or at least make it harder for a potential burglar to enter your home.

The first thing to understand is that burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Burglars look for targets that they think will be easy to enter, grab a few things, then leave quickly without getting caught. Burglars do not like to get caught. Part of the risk assessment that they make is if the home has features that make it easy for someone to see what they are doing and then call the cops. So, if there is a sign saying the home is protected by a security system they will move on to another home.

Another indicator is if the home can be easily seen from the street. If the landscaping is overgrown obscuring the front of the house, then the burglar can hide their activity from casual passersby who could call 911 if they see something suspicious. Also, if the area around the house is not neat and picked up, the burglar may be more motivated to enter the house. Having a ladder stored outside of the house, for example, only gives the burglar a tool that he could use to enter a bedroom on the second floor.

A factor in getting caught is if someone is at home. When burglars look at a potential target, they will look for clues that there is no one at home. Blinds or curtains are open. Are there any noises such as a TV or radio playing? Some burglars will knock on the door. If someone answers, they will make an excuse such as looking for someone in the neighborhood, then move on to the next target. After all, there have been cases when an enraged homeowner catches a burglar in the home and shoots the burglar.

Ease of entering a house is also important. If a burglar cannot enter quickly or easily, they will move on to another house. One point of entry is the front door. Burglars will kick in the front door. One way to defeat a burglar at the front door is to use a dead bolt lock. Also, check the screws in the strike plate in the door frame. Many homes when they are built have strike plate screws that are under 3 to 4 inches long. Doors with screws that short are easy to kick in. Make sure the screws at the strike plate are at least 3 to 4 inches long and go deep into the door frame. 

Burglars can go around to the side of the house or to the back, especially if you have a six-foot, sight obscuring cedar fence, and enter your house through a side door or a back window. So be sure your side and back doors also have 3 to 4 screws in the strike plate. If you have a sliding glass door, a charley bar or dowl in the bottom track can help prevent a forced entry. Of course they can break a window. Placing a clear plastic film (check with your local hardware store) over your windows can help prevent a burglar from breaking one of your windows.

A security system can be a good idea to alert you, a monitoring service, and/or your neighbors that you have an intruder in your home. Be sure that your system has a loud external speaker that makes a loud siren that your neighbors can hear when you have an intruder. While monitoring services can be fast in alerting the police, many police say that the fastest most sure way to getting a police officer out to your home in time to catch the burglar is when a neighbor calls 911 and tells police that they see the burglar in action at your home. That way they know that the alarm is not a false alarm.

Cameras can help show what is going on, especially now with the capability to see the video on our phones. They can also help local police in identifying potential suspects to your burglary. Place cameras at points of ingress and egress. For example, with a view of your driveway to show people coming and going from your property. Also, views of your front door and back door to show people going into and out of your house. Where you can, place cameras inconspicuously at head level to get the best view of a person’s face. Cameras placed above head level can easily be obscured with a hat. Be familiar with your system. If you are burglarized, you will be traumatized, and you probably will be angry. Knowing how your system works will help you turn over any evidence of the crime more easily. Play with your system from time to time to ensure that you know how it works.

Be sure to develop good crime habits. Get into the habit of locking all of your doors and windows when you leave your house. Also get into the habit of arming your alarm system as you leave. This way you are using your key security devices to protect your home while you are away.

Here are some local resources with more information on home burglary prevention tips.

 

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6948

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7014

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7033

 

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Crime Prevention Outreach and How to Prevent a Burglary

The latest issue of the Sheriff’s Office’s crime prevention newsletter, Partners in Crime Prevention, is out. This time the newsletter talks about events that the Crime Prevention Officers will be hosting. Also, tips on how to prevent a burglary in your home.

Check it out at,

  

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7033

 

BURGLARY – What To Do If You Discover That Your House Has Been Burglarized

The worst feeling is to discover that your house has been burglarized. The first thing to do of course is to call 911 and let the Sheriff’s Office know what happened. But your actions also have to consider your safety and the preservation of any potential evidence that could be used to apprehend and charge the burglar.

Check out the latest issue of the Sheriff’s Office’s crime prevention newsletter, “Partners in Crime Prevention,” for guidance on what to do if your house is burglarized.

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7014

 

BURGLARY PREVENTION – You Can Prevent Burglary and Theft

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has posted its latest issue of Partners in Crime Prevention newsletter. This issue talks about the Robbery and Burglary unit and a little about how it decides what cases to investigate. It also has crime prevention tips on how you can prevent a burglary in your home.

Check out the newsletter at,

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6948

CAR REGISTRATION – New Registration Form Helps Protect Privacy

A problem that has developed over the past several years has been car prowlers taking information from car registrations to use in identity theft or taking the address information, then going to the address to burglarize a house. This occurs especially when the car prowler knows that the car owner will be away from the house for a longer period of time; like when they are at a movie or musical event.

The state of Washington’s Department of Licensing has redesigned its vehicle registration form to help improve the vehicle owner’s privacy and to reduce the chances of a thief using the information on the registration to steal from the vehicle owner.

The redesign moves the vehicle registration address to the bottom of the form below a dashed line. According to a notice on the Department of Licensing’s vehicle registration web page, the dotted line is intended to show where you can cut the form to remove the address before you place it in a safe place in your vehicle. Whether you remove the address is up to you, but you do have the option now to remove the address.

Before this, some people would black out the address or make a copy and keep it on their smartphone to show to a police officer should they need to. While electronic copies are Ok according to state law and blanking out the address has been encouraged by some local police agencies, this redesign makes it clearer that the vehicle owner can remove the address if they want to do so.

Posted on Facebook, January 30, 2023

 

 

Washington State Department of Licensing:

https://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistration/

 

LYNNWOOD – Burglary Alert

The Lynnwood Police Department has issued an alert to its residents of a high level of burglaries around Meadowdale High School.

Lynnwood PD says that burglars are operating between 5pm and 8pm when it is dark. The burglars also enter houses that they think the homeowners are out. Entry is with a rock or other hard object to break a back window.

Items taken have included guns, jewelry, and cash.

In the past, most residential burglaries have taken place sometime during the day when most homeowners were away at work. This series of burglaries may be part of a new trend of burglars finding other times of the day to find empty houses to enter. Most burglars do not want to get caught, so they enter houses that they think are not occupied, and houses that can help them conceal their presence. The dark hours and making entry from the back of a house helps conceal their presence.

With Christmas shopping coming, many people may go out shopping at local stores for gifts.  Here are some things you can do to help prevent a burglar in your house,

·         When you leave, always lock your doors and windows.

·         If you have an alarm system, use it.

·         Turn on your outside lights. Also, security lights that use motion sensors can help deter a burglar and may help a neighbor detect that someone is on your property.

·         Make it look like someone is in your house. Burglars do not want to get caught. Anything that makes a burglar think you are at home will spook them. Keep some lights on inside. Turn on a radio or TV that is loud enough that a burglar can hear it before he enters your house.

 

And when you receive your purchases,

 

·         Don’t leave your presents under the tree in view of burglars. Keep them in a secure place until Christmas Day.

·         Don’t leave the empty boxes from your presents outside. Burglars then can know what they can take from you. Break them down and put them in your recycle bin.

·         Make a note of serial numbers of electronic goods, take pictures of them and other valuable gifts such as jewelry and ad them to your household inventory.

 

If burglars are attacking a neighborhood in Lynnwood, they can easily move to yours. Taking some easy precautions can help you from becoming disappointed during this Christmas season.

 

 

 

 

 

Lynnwood Police Department:

https://www.facebook.com/LynnwoodPolice/posts/1335994870071115

 

https://fb.watch/1-IrIrUWYm/

 

Edmonds Police Department:

Edmonds Police Department on Twitter: "You're never bothering us. If it doesn't look right, Call 911! https://t.co/ekVGO7Wkvy" / Twitter

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6573

 

 

Everett Police Department:

Holiday-Crime-Prevention (everettwa.gov)

 

VProwl.indd (everettwa.gov)

 

 

 

COVID-19- Burglary Concerns

Someone has posted a concern on a local social media site about burglars posing as health officers to gain entry to your house. The story is that they claim that they are at your home to disinfect or sterilize your house from COVID-19.  Supposedly, this has happened in the Chicago area during the COVID-19 situation.

While I have not heard of this ploy being used locally, it does bear some thinking about. With many of us hunkering down at home now, it might seem strange to have a burglar try to steal from your home. Most burglars look for houses that are unoccupied, where they will not encounter the homeowner. After all they don’t want to get caught, nor do they want to get hurt (from the angry homeowner). So, burglaries at home probably should go down. We will see if that happens.

The concern of someone posing as someone else to enter your home is real. Burglars have been known to pose as electric utility workers and other government workers with some excuse that they need to get into your house to inspect something or do some sort of work. Usually it is something that is urgent, and they imply that you must let them in. They may fake an inspection and if there is two people, one will distract you, while the other will go through your house looking for things to take. Or they may go through your house, become familiar with its layout, then come back at another time.

While this ploy may be unlikely, here are some things to do if there is someone unexpectedly at your door claiming to be from the health department (or any other agency):

·         Talk to them. If they spook you, you can talk to them through the door. Not talking to them may be a signal that no one is home and they may break in to take whatever they can.

·         Ask to see their department or company identification.

·         Call their department or company, get the number online, and verify their story. This may take a few minutes to look up on your phone or to go to your computer to look up. If they are not legitimate, they may decide to go someplace else.

For the most part, we probably should concentrate on washing our hands, covering coughs, and keeping social separation while we go through this coronavirus situation. Hopefully, you won’t have to implement the above steps.

BURGLARY PREVENTION- Video Can Be an Important “Eye Witness”

On March 4 Edmonds Police Department detectives briefed a standing room crowd of Edmonds residents on how they can help prevent burglaries in their communities. While long planned, the timing of the briefing came after a series of burglaries in the Chase Lake area in the past two months.

While the Chase Lake burglaries no doubt helped turnout to the meeting, detectives did not have much to say about them since they are continuing with an active investigation into the burglaries. Detectives did focus on burglary prevention techniques that homeowner and business owners can use.

One of the techniques that the detectives emphasized was the use of video used in conjunction with a security alarm system. Video can act as an eye witness to a burglary, package theft or other theft. It often provides quick identification of a suspect. And it “provides powerful and undeniable proof of guilt.” Law enforcement agencies need evidence to make an arrest. An eye witness who can identify a suspect is very rare in the case of burglaries. Recovering stolen property takes time. Identifying the rightful owners of stolen property can be difficult. Forensic evidence such as DNA or fingerprints can take up to 12 months to process.

Their recommendations included,

·         Pair a video system with a home alarm system. The alarm system can disrupt a burglar and notify you that someone is in your house or building while the video can show at least part of what happened and who did the burglary.

·         Use a video system that records day and night, seven days a week. Be sure that it records the images to a DVR that you can review later.

·         Purchase the best quality system that you can afford. Low resolution video does not help in identifying suspects. Medium to high resolution video can be very helpful in identifying people and vehicle license plates.

·         Many security services offer around the clock monitoring. If you choose not to sign up for a monitoring service, consider a system that can send you an alert to your cell phone when it detects motion.

·         Place signs and/or window decals in visible locations to warn potential burglars they are being recorded.

Some common mistakes that people make with video systems include,

•       Camera is located too high. At one time, security professionals recommended that cameras be place high and out of reach. This gave a wide field of view and made it more difficult of the burglar to steal the camera. This made some sense when cameras were expensive. However, the Edmonds PD points out that placing a camera at a high level can make it difficult to capture a suspect’s face. And with high quality cameras being much less expensive, replacing a camera is not as onerous. One piece of equipment to protect is the DVR. This would have the evidence of the burglar stealing the camera, but if the DVR is in an easily found place, the burglar can take the box that holds the evidence of his theft.
•       Cameras with low or poor resolution. Medium or high-resolution cameras are available for sale.
•       Cameras that are placed too far from the point that need to be monitored. If the camera is supposed to monitor your front door it should be close enough to give a good view of what is going on and be able to identify any suspects.
•       Not recording the video. If you cannot show the patrol officer or deputy the video, why have video. Video can be stored on a DVR or with a security service’s computer servers in “the cloud.”

Whether you choose outdoor cameras, a door bell camera or indoor cameras, having video can be an inexpensive way that helps detectives find and charge a burglar.

You can watch a video of the meeting here,

Edmonds Police Department/YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZygvyKvDeV0&feature=youtu.be

BURGLARY PREVENTION- Alexa Might Be Able to Help

Police have recommended for a long time to keep a radio or TV on while you are away from home to deter a burglar. Burglars don’t want to be caught, and if they think there is someone in the house most will go somewhere else.

With the advent of smart speakers like Amazon’s Echo series, there may be a new tool that can make it seem like someone is home when you are away. Echo developers have created a new Alexa “skill” called Away Mode. A skill is computer code that allows an Echo to do a specific task.

Away Mode plays one of seven audio tracks that play for about an hour. If a potential burglar hears the track, he will think there is someone in the house. This may not be a solution for long trips, but it is good for running a short errand. Remember, burglars can strike when you step out for a minute just like they can strike when you are vacation.

The audio tracks were written by comedy writers, so the audio is quirky. Quirky or not, the idea remains to give a burglar the idea that someone is around, and this is not a place he wants to enter.

For more about Away Mode, look at this article,

Tech Crunch:

https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/03/scare-off-burglars-with-this-ridiculous-alexa-skill/

SOCIAL MEDIA- Another Tool for Awareness in Your Community

Social media has become a key component in helping homeowners be aware of crime in their neighborhoods. Ring has added a tool to help neighborhoods to be informed of crime or suspicious activity. Its recently launched Neighbors App allows Ring owners to post videos from their devices on the app and for neighbors who subscribe to the app to receive an alert of the activity.

Burglary and package theft remain a problem for neighborhoods nationwide. Having cameras has improved surveillance of private property. Being able to communicate images from those cameras to deputies and police enhances their ability to investigate crime. Letting neighbors know about crime and suspicious activity helps them be on guard and ensure that their property is secure. While consumers have been able to post photos and videos on social media platforms such as Facebook and Nextdoor, this app makes broadcasting this information to your neighbors much easier.

While Ring claims that information from the app is shared with local law enforcement and neighborhoods, Snohomish and King County law enforcement agencies are not currently tied in.

Knowledge of crime in our communities by residents is important to keeping communities safe. As important, if not more important, is notifying police of suspicious and criminal activity. Social media tools do not replace the need to call 911 when you see a crime or suspicious activity in progress. If you come home and find that a crime has occurred, calling the non-emergency number, 425-407-3999, is a good number for reporting crimes that have occurred in the past.

Ring:

https://ring.com/neighbors

https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004851266

BURGLARY PREVENTION- Now is the Time to Secure Your Property

Property thefts such as burglaries and car prowls tend to increase in the summer, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistic 2014 report. This is a good time to take stock of how you secure your home.

Burglars want to stay in a house only a short time when they break in. So, they often will look in typical places where we store our stuff, then leave quickly. They will start looking in the master bedroom then look elsewhere. The first places burglars look include the bedroom closet, under the mattress, dresser drawers, the medicine cabinet, a portable safe, the freezer, desk drawers, and the liquor cabinet.

Most often, burglars take what is easy for them to carry, such as jewelry, electronics, cash and credit cards. Guns, collectibles and narcotic prescription drugs can also be easily turned into cash. They also look for items with your personal information, such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and passports, that can be used in identity theft.

Here are some things you can do to prevent being victimized by a burglar:

·         Keep a car in the driveway

·         Don’t let your mail pile up

·         Keep outdoor valuables locked up

·         Keep your garage door(s) closed, even when you are working in the yard

·         Keep quiet on social media about your planned vacations and trips

·         Leave your TV or radio on when you leave the house

·         Don’t leave valuables in your car

·         Get a dog

·         Install security film on your windows, and a security system and cameras

For more details, look at:

KGW8:

https://www.kgw.com/article/news/investigations/we-asked-86-burglars-how-they-broke-into-homes/344213396

Money Crashers:

https://www.moneycrashers.com/protect-home-car-theft/

South Snohomish County Crime Watch:

http://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/2018/06/identity-theft-your-id-can-be-lost-by.html

HOME SECURITY- Wireless Security Systems

Surveillance cameras can give you a sense of security with their ability to show you who is at your house. However, you might want more than just cameras. A full security system with sensors, cameras, the ability to notify your and/or a central monitoring center may give you more security. Many security systems now are wireless. A major advantage of a wireless security system is ease of installation, no need to drill holes and run wire.

Reviews.org has reviewed and rated five wireless security systems. If you are in the market for a security system, their article will help you learn about the latest technology.

Reviews.org:

https://www.reviews.org/home-security/best-wireless-security-system/

HOME SECURITY- Motion Detector Cameras

Most homeowners are concerned about burglars breaking into their homes. Cameras have become popular to help homeowners oversee their homes especially when they are away. Modern camera systems have a wide variety of high tech features including excellent resolution, wide fields of view, night vision, two-way audio, internet connections to be able to communicate with your smartphone, and even onboard or cloud storage.

Reviews.org has reviewed and rated five cameras. If you are in the market for a camera system, their article will help you learn about the latest technology.

Reviews.org:

https://www.reviews.org/home-security/best-motion-detector-cameras/

HOME SECURITY- What to Look for in Security Cameras

Cameras are popular now to keep watch over your home. They may provide some deterrent affect especially if they are in view. But also, they can provide evidence that you can hand over to deputies if someone takes a package from your porch or burglarizes your home.

Cameras can be placed outside to cover your front porch, your front drive if you park your car there, and any other potential entry point to your house or out buildings. They can also be strategically placed inside your home where burglars might take your possessions.

Here are some things to think about when you go shopping for a camera system,

·         Resolution: The better the resolution the better odds that you and the Sheriff’s Office have in identifying suspects. A resolution of 780p should be adequate for identification, especially if you are on a budget. 1080p is better if you can afford it.

·         Field of view: The wider the field of view, how far from left to right the camera can see, the better to catch any suspicious activity.

·         Night vision: Most home burglaries occur during daylight hours. But, car prowls at home occur at night. If you are concerned about car prowls in your neighborhood, be sure that the cameras have good night vision capabilities.

·         App design: Most new camera systems allow you to view them when you are away with your tablet or smartphone. Try to check out the apps of the camera systems that you are considering for ease of use and capability.

·         Cloud storage: Most new systems store your images in the cloud. Security camera companies often offer a certain amount of cloud memory for free and more for a fee. The free storage may only be able to keep a few days of storage. Consider how much memory that you think you will need.

·         Security and privacy: Be sure that the information that is stored on the company’s servers are secure from hackers. Also, be sure that the data signal from your cameras to the company’s servers are also secure. This is important because most of the time what your cameras see are of your private life which you do not want strangers to see.

·         Internet/Wi-Fi connection: Most camera systems can connect to the internet through your Wi-Fi. Be sure to have a strong signal between the locations of your cameras and your router/modem.

For some suggestions on cameras, take a look at this link,

Business Insider:

http://www.businessinsider.com/best-security-camera-home/?utm_content=buffere38a1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer/#the-best-home-security-camera-overall-1

BURGLARY PREVENTION- What Burglars Look for in a House

Once in a house, burglars don’t want to hang around too long. What do they do when they are in your house? Most burglars who KGW TV surveyed last fall told the station:

•         The first place they go is the master bedroom. That's where they can find the jewelry, credit cards, guns and a safe or lock box.

•         Then its closets, safes and guns are often found in closets. If you do have a safe, make sure it is a large, heavy one easily and bolt it to the floor so that it cannot be carried away.

•         On the way out, they will look for common hiding places like the stove, freezer, toilet tank, book shelves.

For more on what burglars have to say, check out the video at this link,

KING TV/KGW TV:

http://www.king5.com/news/investigations/we-asked-86-burglars-how-they-broke-into-homes/344367382

BURGLARY PREVENTION- What Burglars Say

We often hear advice from police on what to do, and sometimes what not to do, to protect our property. But what do burglars say? Last fall, the TV station KGW, in Portland, broadcast prevention advice from 86 burglars.

Here are some of their recommendations:

·         Biggest mistakes by homeowners:

o  Closing the drapes when they leave the house. Open drapes indicate someone is home and allows someone from the street to see a burglar inside.

o  Not closing the bathroom window.

o  Locking a sliding glass door and placing a dowel in the track is fine, but not having a second small lock on the slider makes it vulnerable to a break-in.

·         Best targets:

o  Houses with 6 foot fences.

o  Houses that cannot be seen from the street because of overgrown vegetation or fencing.

o  Houses with the mail/newspapers accumulating.

o  No vehicle in the driveway.

o  Houses away from other houses with older window frames and cheap wooden doors.

·         What do they recommend that a homeowner can do to avoid being burglarized:

o  Make your house visible with good lighting and trimmed shrubbery and trees.

o  Know your neighbors and alert police when you see anything suspicious.

o  Leave a TV or radio on when you are gone.

o  Put up a camera and make it visible.

For more on what burglars have to say, check out the video at this link,

KING TV/KGW TV:

http://www.king5.com/news/investigations/we-asked-86-burglars-how-they-broke-into-homes/344367382