Car burglaries in Laguna Beach, on average,...

Car burglaries in Laguna Beach, on average, happen about 60 times per

year. Last year, the city had a big increase, to 105.

The areas hit the most are along Coast Highway, because of easy

access and quick escape down the coast. But the burglaries do occur

in all parts of Laguna, even Top of the World and Arch Beach Heights.

Car burglaries are very difficult to solve, as there is usually

very little physical evidence left behind.

To reduce the risk of a car burglary, we have provided some easy

tips to follow:

* Always close your windows and lock your car doors. An open

window or unlocked door is an invitation to a criminal.

* Park in well-lighted areas close to the building. While parking

in an isolated spot may reduce the risk of door dings, a criminal

looks for cars parked out of the way, where less attention is drawn

to them.

* Always remove loose valuables from your vehicle, or at least

keep them out of plain view. This includes purses, wallets, cell

phones, laptops computers, cameras, back packs and briefcases. A

criminal loves to see items that can be grabbed easily and carried

away without much effort.

Follow these simple steps whenever you park your car, whether you

are just “running in for a minute” or parking for shopping or for the

evening. A brick through the window is all it takes to gain access to

those loose items.

* Even if you plan never to leave a cell phone or laptop computer

in your car, you should make a list with the make, model and serial

numbers of all such belongings. The police can put this information

in their computer database, and it will aid them in locating the

items if the offender is found with them or if they are pawned. This

will also help ensure your property is returned to you.

* The Laguna Beach Police Department encourages people to call 911

only if they see an actual burglary occurring. If you see suspicious

persons wandering around in parking lots or looking into cars as they

walk by, you can report it by calling 497-0701, ext. 0.

FREE HOME OR BUSINESS SECURITY INSPECTIONS

It only takes a few minutes and it could save you a bundle and a

lot of headaches down the road.

For more information about crime, neighborhood watch, or to

schedule a security inspection, call Laguna Beach Police’s community

services officer, Coleen Lawrence, at 497-0382.