Editorial: Burglaries require response from citizens as well as police officers

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Published on Tuesday, 14 February 2012 12:18

Random and late-night burglary has become an all-too-common occurrence in Elk City. 

If it hasn't happened to you, a neighbor, your friend or a member of your family, there's always a chance it could.

There's not a week goes by that police don't receive a call from a citizen who has walked outside to find their car or truck has been broken into. Many times, valuables and even firearms have been stolen.

A few months ago, burglars were simply checking which cars were unlocked. Now, they're breaking windows with whatever they can find in the yard.

We don't know how many people are behind these burglaries. But we know you can help stop them.

Late-night burglars rely on quiet and empty streets to commit their crimes. An active neighborhood watch program could end this plague - at least temporarily, if neighborhoods band together. Not everyone sleeps all night long, so it's probably a good idea for Elk City's insomniacs to glance out their windows every once in a while.

If you notice someone sneaking around your residential street late at night, it's OK to call the police. They're paid to check it out. If you're driving around late, instead of taking the quick route, take a detour through some residential neighborhoods.

Report anything suspicious.

Most importantly, don't leave valuables in your car overnight. It takes just a few seconds for the burglar to snatch them up. We've read reports of car owners losing hundreds of dollars in cash, jewelry, electronics and guns in these smash and grab raids. Adding insult to injury, they also have to replace broken vehicle windows.

And even if you provide police with serial numbers and exact descriptions of your belongings, they may never be recovered.

We owe it to ourselves to live in a peaceful society. We can start by helping police our own neighborhoods.