Our view: Help police stem burglaries

Area residents can do their part to help stem a rash of burglaries that has frustrated home-owners and area police departments in recent weeks.

The uptick in home and automobile burglaries has been a frequent if unfortunate occurrence during summer months, particularly during the down economy.

In Marengo, nine burglaries have been reported since April, according to police officials there. Three occurred during the daytime in late May, prompting the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office to send out an alert.

In the McHenry Shores subdivision of McHenry, police are investigating five daytime residential burglaries since mid-May in which various items were stolen.

And in Sun City Huntley, there were at least nine break-ins and two attempted break-ins at the active-adult senior living community, according to police. Most of the cases were daytime burglaries in which jewelry and cash were stolen, police said. Thieves entered homes by using pry tools.

No community is immune to these types of burglaries.

Police in each of these towns said they have beefed up patrols in an effort to catch the burglars.

But residents can help, too.

First and foremost, remember to always lock the doors of your home when you leave and when you go to bed. Lock your windows and car doors, and close your garage door too.

If you’re going to be out of town, make sure your home looks occupied. Stop your mail or have a neighbor pick it and the newspaper up daily.

If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, don’t hesitate to contact police.

And keep serial numbers and receipts from items to help police officers track stolen goods.

Police departments everywhere have limited resources. But when community members can can help be their eyes and ears, officers have a better shot at tracking down the suspects and preventing further burglaries.