Springfield Police note increase in garage burglaries

(From the Springfield Police Department)

One common form of burglary during the summer months is entering open garage doors, and the Springfield Police Department has been noticing an increase in this type of criminal behavior.

“What we’ve been seeing are people forgetting to close their garage doors overnight or choosing to leave them open while being inside or in their back yard,” said Sgt. David Meyer of the SPD's Property Crimes Unit. “Many assume that their belongings are safe since they are at home, but it only takes a few seconds to steal items from an open garage and take off.”
 

These actions are offering thieves easy access inside garages where valuables, home or car keys or even garage door openers may be attainable. The SPD advises people to keep their garages closed, even if they are only away for a few minutes and believe their neighborhood is safe.

More tips from the SPD for preventing garage burglaries:
 

• Make sure the door leading from the garage into your home also has a locking mechanism, and use it.
• Cover any garage windows. You are doing thieves a favor by allowing them to see when your vehicle is gone.
• Consider purchasing a "garage door open indicator." This will alert you when the garage door has been left open. Also, some garage door manufacturers have an automatic system that recognizes when a garage door has been left open and it will close after a specified period of time.
• Record serial numbers and take pictures of items of value kept in your garage, so if they are stolen, they will be easier for police to identify.
• Be on the lookout for suspicious behavior in your neighborhood, and notify neighbors if you think they have accidentally left their garage open. Start a Neighborhood Watch in your community.