Police Issue Burglary Alert
Burglars have been on the prowl lately in the Waite Park, Audubon Park and Windom Park neighborhoods, according to police. A Second Precinct crime alert notes an increase in residential burglaries and says the culprits are frequently entering homes and garages through unlocked doors and windows. The police department is asking neighbors to look out for each other and dial 911 if they notice suspicious activity. It’s also recommending residents review their home security. Among the advice: lock doors and windows, leave a radio on when you’re not home, and consider securing basement windows with screws, grilles or bars. Crime prevention specialist Rick Maas is also available for security surveys and questions by calling 673-2797. Minneapolis Police issued a similar burglary alert last month for the Nicollet Island and East Bank neighborhood. Is anyone taking the police up on their home security advice? Anyone have other tips to share? Dan Haugen
Email This Article
Print This Article
Filed under: Audubon Park, Crime, Waite Park, Windom Park
Exterior lights. Motion lights. Keeping your property and your block well-lit is the easiest thing anyone can do to help.
(Although this string of burglaries are day-time events believed by police to be the work of a well-known band of NE criminals)
The Audubon Neighborhood Association is wrapping up its 2nd Security Rebate Program. Property owners in Audubon Park can get 50%, up to $200, rebated on qualified security improvements like motion lights, steel doors, glass block windows and exterior deadbolt locks. Everyone ask your own neighborhood group to start a similar program and we can make NE a hard target for the bad guys.
The Northeast Citizen Patrol has just lauched a new campaign which we hope will get people watching for suspicious vehicles and people: R.A.T. Patrol (report alley trawlers). The R.A.T. Patrol is a 911 phone tree whereby neighbors can work together to combat theft and burglary by reporting alley trawlers (scavengers/thieves) to 911, and then alerting neighbors, via a phone tree, to watch for and report the trawler, as well.
If you want more information or want to volunteer to be a participant on the R.A.T. Patrol phone tree, contact shelley@nepatrol.org.
The Northeast Citizen Patrol is working on a broader public information campaign to help residents realize that it is up to each of us to make Northeast a “no tolerance zone” for crime. We ask everyone to take the steps necessary to report crime and livability issues through 911 and 311.
Mark — Who is this well-known band of criminals?