The Garden City Police Department recently investigated two residential burglaries which occurred during the early evening hours on Nov. 11. During one incident, the suspect rang the doorbell and when there was no answer, walked around the home and found an unsecured door. The subject entered the home and removed numerous pieces of jewelry. In the other burglary, the subject(s) entered the residence by breaking a rear window and fled when it was discovered a resident was home. There was one item reported stolen from this home. These incidents appear to be part of an ongoing burglary pattern that has been prevalent in numerous north shore communities in Nassau County. The suspects check for residences that appear to be unoccupied, usually during early evening hours (5 to 9 p.m.). Homes having no lights or televisions on, at times when they are usually on, give the appearance they are unoccupied. In many evening burglaries, some homeowners leave their residence for just a short period of time without setting the alarm, leaving a door unlocked, and without leaving interior lights and/or televisions on.
Considering this ongoing burglary pattern throughout Nassau County, additional marked and unmarked patrols will be deployed. In addition, Garden City Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson offers the following recommendations:
If you have an alarm, use it at all times, even if you are leaving the residence for just a few minutes.
Trim overgrown shrubbery and trees where someone would be able to conceal themselves.
Check exterior lighting, this includes the back and sides of the home. Ensure they go on at dusk.
Check windows and door locks; make sure they are in working order.
Check your Ring camera or similar device when you receive a notification of activity near your home.
Keep all doors and windows locked when you are home, in the back yard, or away, even for just a few minutes.
Homeowners should consider additional locking devices specifically for sliding doors, as well as alarms.
Move and secure items that could be used to facilitate entry through ground floor windows.
Close your drapes, blinds and window treatments at night as a deterrent.
Surveillance and alarm systems should be routinely checked to ensure proper operation.
Consider a panic alarm or keeping a telephone near the bed.
Leave an interior light on or use a timer. Leave a radio or television on when out of the house.
Discontinue any deliveries while away on business or vacation.
Ensure deliveries to your residence are removed promptly by a family member, friend, or neighbor.
Inventory, photograph and have an appraisal conducted on valuable items.
When approaching or leaving your home, be aware of suspicious persons or vehicles.
Varying your routine can be an additional deterrent.
Do not enter your residence if you think someone may be inside; notify the police immediately.
If you hear or see someone in your home, exit if you can and discretely call the police right away.
Do not try to confront the intruder.
If a burglar does confront you, remain calm; comply with the burglars’ instructions. Remember your life is more valuable than your property. Try to memorize a description of the subject. When the subject leaves, call the Police immediately by dialing 911.
In addition to these recommendations, the Garden City Police Department urges all residents to be aware of suspicious activity around them, and call promptly during the following situations:
Call when your alarm or a neighbor’s house/car alarm goes off.
Call when there are suspicious noises or persons in your yard or a neighbor’s yard.
Call when you see a suspicious person and/or vehicle.
Call if a vehicle is observed continually driving up and down the street for no apparent reason.
Try to obtain a plate number and a good description of suspicious vehicles.
Try to obtain a good description of all suspicious persons and/or possible suspects.
Call when you observe activity at a neighbor’s residence when you know they are away.
If you see a door or window to a neighbor’s residence ajar, open, or broken, call the police.
If you see a neighbor’s car door or window ajar, open, or broken, call the police.
Call when your dog barks where there is some type of activity outside, particularly in the evening or at night.
Neighbors can help the Police in the prevention of burglaries and in the apprehension of suspects. There have been numerous incidents where the keen observation of residents has resulted in the apprehension of persons committing criminal acts. In addition, residents with surveillance systems are encouraged to notify the Police Department when it is possible their system recorded a crime or other suspicious activity either on their property, in the street, or on an adjacent property. Surveillance systems, such as video systems, Ring cameras, and Nest cameras, have proven to be significant tools in the prevention of criminal acts, as well as in the apprehension of suspects.
—Submitted by the Village of Garden City
