Community Alert Regarding Rash Of Burglaries and Thefts In Naselle Area

Over the course of the past several weeks, the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office has received several theft and burglary complaints from citizens in the Naselle area. Property reported to have been stolen ranged from small items to items as large as motorcycles and lawn mowers. All reported incidents are believed to have occurred when the owners were not home. All the reported incidents are still being actively investigated by the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office.

The Pacific County Sheriff’s Office encourages citizens to take a few extra steps to make sure homes and vehicles stay secure. The Pacific County Sheriff’s Office investigates several property crimes such as vehicle prowls and residential burglaries yearly. Unfortunately, crime doesn’t take a day off. By following these simple steps you can help minimize your chances of becoming a victim.

1) Make sure your house is locked up while you are away. Most burglars enter through unlocked doors or windows.

2) Hide or secure valuables so they are not visible through exterior windows. Lock them or take them with you. (Drapes or blinds closed).

3) Ask a trustworthy neighbor(s) to keep an eye on your home and report suspicious activity to police. Offer to do the same for them.

4) Attempt to minimize signs that your home is unoccupied. If possible, keep a vehicle in your driveway. Stop mail and newspaper deliveries. Put lights and/or radios on a timer. Use affordable quality lights that are very energy efficient and can be left on for a fraction of the cost.

5) Don't leave a spare key hidden outside.

6) Don’t leave property such as bicycles or children’s toys outside.

7) Don't announce that you will be away from home on social network sites or answering machines.

8) Keep your vehicle locked and clean! Even a plastic shopping bag may be enticing. Remove GPS units, IPods, cell phones and their chargers from sight. Clean off GPS suction cup residue from your windshield.

9) Don't leave garage door openers in your vehicle while parked outside.

10) Keep a list of make, model and serial numbers of your valuable property*. This information can lead to recovery and the prosecution of the thieves. (Keep this information in a safe and secure location).

11) If you rent, consider buying renters insurance. If you are a homeowner, check with your insurance company to verify you have coverage for property theft. Ensure that your insurance company will cover theft from your vehicle.

12) If you have an alarm system, use it.

As always, if you observe a crime in progress please dial 911. If you observe something out of the ordinary that you may suspect could be leading up to a property crime being committed, please call 911.