Though residents may feel safe living in their quiet Los Altos neighborhoods, members of the Los Altos Police Department warned folks to protect themselves against crime March 25 at a special meeting held at Hillview Community Center as part of "Crime Prevention Month."
The event was co-sponsored by The Year of the Good Neighbor Committee.
"Things are pretty quiet out there, but that can change overnight," said Noreen Sorg, community service officer at the Los Altos Police Department.
Sorg educated residents on how to "take away the opportunity" for crime to happen. She said being a good witness is important. Sorg said many Los Altos residents tend to be watchful of their neighborhoods and call the police department if they see something suspicious. She said most calls check out.
Sorg said residents need to be aware that about 80 percent of all burglaries occur during the daytime. Sorg said there has been "a real problem in Los Altos with theft from mailboxes and vandalism" recently.
Last month someone stole credit cards out of three Los Altos mailboxes; someone took medication out of a mailbox; and two mailboxes were stolen.
In recent months, Sorg said five houses on West Portola Avenue were burglarized by someone who used an unlocked gate to enter the homes from the backyard.
Sorg said alarm company stickers and dogs can be good deterrents. Sorg said she hasn't seen too many burglaries to houses with alarms. She said the screwdriver is "high tech tool" often used to pry open locks.
"It's amazing how inventive 'Bob the Burglar' can be," she said.
Sorg suggested the following tips:
All door-to-door solicitors need a permit from city, which is good from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Only nonprofit agencies are allowed to solicit, Sorg said.
Doors should have deadbolt locks with a 1-inch throw and reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws. All windows should have locks. Sorg said many of the town's older homes have single pane crank windows, which are easy to break open. She said make sure the crank is down tight.
Secure sliding glass doors with a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts.
Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away. Create the illusion that you are home by using timers on lights, radios and TVs.
Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways to eliminate places in which a prowler could hide. Sorg suggested installing motion detector lights.
Always deposit mail in a Postal Service mail collection box rather than in an unprotected mailbox.
A second crime prevention meeting, sponsored by "The Year of the Good Neighbor" committee, is scheduled for Thursday in Los Altos Hills. Chris Yamaguchi, deputy sheriff with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, will speak on "Preventing Crimes in Our Neighborhoods" at 7 p.m., at the Los Altos Hills Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road.