Deputy offers tips on protecting property from burglars

Following a rash of commercial, residential and vehicle burglaries in the last three weeks, the Carson City Sheriff's Office is reminding residents to be vigilant in protecting their property.

According to Sheriff's Office records, in a 10-block area near the Carson City Airport there have been 17 residential and auto burglaries and 41 residential and commercial burglaries in Carson City reported in the last 21 days.

"The old saying 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is very applicable to prevent a home burglary, but it should be noted that a determined, experienced burglar can probably break into just about any home or auto," said Deputy Craig Erven.

Erven offered the following tips on keeping your property safe:

• Keep a well-maintained yard and property. Burglars are looking for seclusion or places to hide (day or night). Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed to cut down on hiding spots.

• Lighting at doors and windows is something a burglar does not want to see. Motion detectors are also a good option if you don't like having lights on all the time.

• Create the appearance that someone is home even when you aren't. Putting lights on a timer or leaving the TV or stereo on while you're gone might prevent your house from being burglarized. Have a neighbor pick those newspapers off the driveway or the mail piled in the mailbox which broadcast a message that the house is empty.

• One of the surest ways to prevent a burglary is a security system. When the system is present and armed, it sends a quick message to the would-be intruder that this house just isn't worth the trouble or the risk. Many insurance companies offer discounts on premiums if such a system in place. When a security system is activated, the alarm company calls dispatch and puts in a call for service requesting deputies respond to the address in question.

• You have door locks, use them. More than 25 percent of the recent burglary reports happened at homes where windows or doors were left unlocked. Sometimes crooks are literally looking for an open door - don't give it to them. As an extra measure of security, place small wooden sticks in window and slider tracts.

• Purchase a small safe and bolt it to the floor. If a burglar does gain entry into your residence he won't be able to leave with a even a small safe let alone a large one bolted down.