BBB Warns of the Top Ten Consumer Scams

Earlier this year the Better Business Bureau publicized 10 common scams. Most have been around for many years but they are used persistenly:

http://www.scrippsnews.com/content/beware-scammers-and-what-look

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Felony Charges and Convictions

The Herald recently published some interesting statistics about felony charges and convictions in Snohomish County:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110609/BLOG48/706129999/-1/blog48

911- Communications Problems Final Update

On Thursday June 9, some callers had trouble contacting the SNOPAC 911 service. Frontier Communications was able to fix the problem after a few hours.

While Fox Communications was fixing the problem an alternate phone number for SNOPAC, which services the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, was distributed via Twitter by Everett PD and various local press agencies. The number was (425) 407-3970.

Note: Communications problems with 911 are a rarity in our county. For most of us, for most of the time, remembering 911 when we need it is sufficient. However, it might be a good idea to save the alternate number in your address book just in case you have trouble getting through to the local SNOPAC 911 in an emergency.

The Herald, June 10, 2011:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110609/NEWS01/706099865

SNOHOMISH- Car Prowls are on the Rise

According to this morning’s The Herald (http://heraldnet.com/article/20110613/NEWS01/706139915), the city of Snohomish has seen an increase in car prowls over the last two weeks. Snohomish police say that car prowlers are targeting mostly residential areas mostly at night although some have been during daylight hours.

The police department also reported that many victims did not lock their doors or remove valuables from sight.

Here are some reminders on how to prevent your car from being prowled:

• Roll up the windows and lock all doors.
• Use a garage or secure location whenever possible.
• Remove all items from sight. Anything, whether it is your laptop, GPS, wallet/purse, or a bag with a bottle of TUMs will attract a car prowler.
• Use an anti-theft device.

For more information go to:

http://sheriff.snoco.org/Documents/Vehicle%20Prowl.pdf

BOTHELL- Pair Arrested in Burglary Spree

Below is an article from March of this year about a pair of people, a man and a woman in their mid-20's, who had been arrested for a wide ranging burglary spree.

It highlights a common tactic by burglars. The male would knock on the front door. If someone answered he would claim that he was collecting donations for a charity. If no one answered, he would go to the back of the house to find a way inside.

The other impressive fact about this case was that the crime spree included Medina and other parts of King County, Snohomish County, and even Grays Harbor County.


The Herald:
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110307/NEWS01/703079910

NORTH SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Spike in Burglaries

According to Stanwood PD, there has been a spike in residential burglaries in north Snohomish County in the last month. While there has not been any announcement of recent burglary trends in south Snohomish County, burglaries were dramatically reduced last summer. With the warmer weather and longer days burglaries become more likely occurences in our neighborhoods.

Stanwood PD recommends the following 5 actions to prevent yourself from becoming a burglary victim:

1. Lock your windows and doors.

2. Be a good neighbor and report suspicious vehicles and/or people.

3. Know what valuables are in your home. Keep (or store) a list of items and their serial numbers as well as photographs of jewelry. (Operation ID: http://sheriff.snoco.org/Documents/Operation%20ID.pdf )


4. If you do choose to store high value items, cash, jewelry inside of your home, keep them secured in a hidden safe. If you do not have access to a safe, at least store these items in a place not likely searched by the burglar. These places might include: Under the kitchen sink with cleaning supplies, rear lower shelf of pantry, bathroom, etc. Jewelry boxes, sock and desk drawers are poor places to hide valuables.

5. Invest in a reliable, audible home alarm system.

Source: The Herald http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110603/blog41/110609933/1131/news08

Things seem to have been pretty quiet over the last few months as far as burglaries and car prowls/car thefts. Have you heard any reports of burglaries, car prowls/car thefts or suspicious activity in your neighborhood?

BEAT THE BURGLARS-

Rikki King from The Herald, with the help of John Ernst from the Mukilteo PD, recently published a short series about what to do in case you are a victim of a burglary:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20110405/BLOG41/110409945