Vaults and Safes

California police suggest the use of Gun Safes and Home Safes for Security. 

California police are seeing a dramatic jump in residential and vehicle burglaries and are urging residents to protect themselves.

Police receive 51 percent increase from September, a police news release states.

In November burglaries and vehicle larcenies were reported way up.

Officers believe a few individuals are responsible for most of the crimes and are using specific enforcement methods to identify and arrest the thieves. Additional officers have been assigned to work patrols each day and evening, the release states.

The burglars targeting homes are looking for unlocked doors and windows. In some cases, they have forced open windows and doors. The burglars also are entering backyards through side gates so they are less likely to be seen entering homes. Once inside, the thieves ransack rooms, looking for small valuables and cash. Firearms and electronics have been stolen, the release states.

The vehicle burglars do not appear to be targeting a specific make or model car and don’t appear to be looking for specific property inside to steal. In some cases, the car stereo was taken, the release states.

Police are asking residents to take measures to keep themselves safe. They offer these tips for deterring vehicle and residential burglaries.

Vehicle tips

• Unattended cars should be locked day and night.

• Do not leave cars idling when you are not in the car.

• Do not leave valuable items, such as laptops, purses, change, cell phones, iPods or Christmas gifts in vehicles.

• Always use your vehicle’s anti-theft devices.

• Pay attention to your surroundings when parking for holiday shopping. If anything looks suspicious, leave the area.

Home tips

• Become a “nosey neighbor.” Report unusual or suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Write down license numbers of cars and note the make and color of the suspicious vehicle.

• Participate in Neighborhood Watch programs or start one in your neighborhood.

• Evaluate locks for effectiveness.

• Install movement or dusk-to-dawn lighting around the home.

• Lock side access gates to backyards.

• Have neighbors gather mail and newspapers if you leave home for an extended time, or place holds on your mail and newspapers.

• Don’t leave garage doors open unless you are inside.

• Keep high-value jewelry and significant amounts of cash inside home safes that are internally bolted in place.

• Keep firearms in gun safes or equip firearms with individual gun locks.

• Record and keep serial numbers on valuable electronics.

• Do not hide house keys under doormats or in other obvious places.

• Break down big boxes that Christmas gifts arrive in so burglars don’t know new items have just arrived.

Check out home safes and gun safes for sale.