Issaquah Police Department (IPD) officers dropped by our neighborhood Block Watch meeting at Blakely Hall to discuss tips for preventing property crime in our community on Thursday, May 11.
Above all, officer Mike Lucht encourages residents to call 911 when you see anything that looks remotely suspicious. This may look like someone walking around and touching car door handles or a questionable stranger looking in your neighbor’s open garage door.
He emphasized the importance of looking out for your neighbors! In the event of an emergency, and even for everyday happenings, it’s smart to share your contact information with neighbors on your street. For example: if you notice a neighbor’s garage door open past dusk, consider alerting them to lower the risk of theft.
“I encourage people to get out and talk to your neighbors,” he said. “You don’t have to be best friends, but you can watch out for each other. That’s just human nature.”
Lucht offered several other methods to prevent and prepare for property crime. He urges residents to walk through their home once per month to document items in case of a robbery. He also noted that keeping an inventory of high-value items as well as their serial numbers is also helpful.
During the meeting, one attendee asked the effectiveness of fake cameras compared to real ones. Lucht responded that real cameras are ideal, but both options can help to prevent crime. When deciding between investing in cameras versus security, he opted for the former.
“Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes,” he said. “Cameras have come so far in the last 10 years.”
He warns that cameras are not an instant solution, but they can see clothing and car descriptions as well as license plates. Occasionally, small cameras on your property can help officers link to other crimes by analyzing footage.
Lucht also suggested that residents consider investing in SimpliSafe, a self-installed security system that allows you to add as many alarm sensors as you want.
In the nine years since Lucht joined IPD, he is only aware of two armed burglaries that have occurred within city limits. However, in the event of a break-in, he encourages homeowners with children to have serious discussions with them about creating a plan for emergencies. Is there a place for them to hide? Can they exit through a window?
According to IPD, residential burglaries can take less than five minutes. Burglars are often looking for small expensive items like jewelry, laptops and game consoles that can easily be traded for cash. You can protect your home by installing lights, trimming your shrubs back from windows and doors, keeping valuables in a safe deposit box, locking doors and windows, and more. IPD also offers an inspection checklist for crime prevention through environmental design like windows, doors, landscaping, etc.
To stay up to date on local crime, follow Issaquah Police Department on Facebook and Twitter. The city also releases a crime blotter with weekly accounts on its website.
Residents interested in Block Watch will continue to meet at Blakely Hall quarterly, with representatives from IPD and special guests to help the community to come together to prevent crime. Join the Facebook page to stay in touch and to discuss trends and issues in Issaquah Highlands.
