Crime Statistics & Reports - from Susan Watkins

• We just had our front window smashed at 1:30am this morning - there is a smell of fireworks outside around the window.  Can you ask everyone in the subdivision if they had same happen or saw or heard anything? Ken Ellis 4903 Racquet Club Dr, Arlington, TX

Vandalism at 2100 BLOCK OF RIVERFOREST DR on 07/03/2023 1:27 AM  Type: Vandalism   Date: 07/03/2023 1:27 AM   Description: CRIMINAL MISCHIEF IN PROGRESS. Call Number: L23184P0048. Disclaimer: This is from the Arlington police activity log.

There are over 2.5 million burglaries per year, 66% of which are home break-ins.

• Homes without a security system have a 300% more chance of getting broken into.

• 65% of burglars know their victims!

• An average break-in lasts between 8 and 10 minutes.

• According to the FBI, the average loss per burglary is $2,416.

• Only 17% of US homes have a security system.

• There are more than 10,000 burglaries in the United States every day.

• Over the next 20 years, it’s projected that 75% of the homes in the US will be broken into.

• Just 13% of all reported burglaries are cleared by the police.

• Cash is the most commonly stolen item (followed by electronics, gold, guns, jewelry, and drugs).

• The master bedroom is the most common first target.

• 51% of burglarized homes are targeted again within 6 weeks.

• Burglars avoid houses with security systems and/or dogs.

• Most burglaries occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• Burglars commonly choose houses with window air conditioning units.

• July and August are the months when most burglaries occur.

• 34% of burglars enter through the front door.

• 22% go in through the back door.

• 87% of burglaries are considered preventable.

• 54% of home security owners aren’t sure how to operate their system.

• 74% of failed burglaries are contributed to an audible alarm.

• 27% of home security system owners arm their systems ONLY when they go to bed.

Thank you letter

Are You A Dog Owner ?

Sergeant Vince Pewitt from Arlington Police Department · 

submitted by Susan Watkins

Would you like to help us make a difference? We need people like you to donate time, energy, and experience in a variety of areas including patrolling, building relationships, and more. Dog Walker Watch is an awareness program that encourages neighbors to assist local law enforcement agencies in the ongoing community-policing efforts. Neighbors are trained on how to effectively observe and report suspicious activity. 

How does it work? There are dozens, if not hundreds, of dog walkers throughout the community at all times of the day, all days of the week, in all weather conditions, who are often preoccupied with texting, chatting, emailing, and listening to music during their neighborhood walks. Dog Walker Watch trains these individuals on how to effectively observe and report suspicious activity. 

To find out more about the program and how you can help, join us for one of the training courses below or visit our website at http://www.arlington-tx.gov/apdvolunteer 

Crime Prevention

by Susan Watkins

How to prevent your home from being burglarized: Veteran thief tells all: 

http://on.today.com/2lSGkOf?cid=eml_onsite

**** We had outgoing mail stolen from our mail box this morning 4/2/17.  Small SUV stopped, opened the box and removed mail that was waiting for pickup, and drove off.  Happened so quick we did not realize what was going on. 

What we thought was a safe way to mail items just turned unsafe.

Larry Phillips

Safe Exchange Zone

contributed by Susan Watkins

Community Services Assistant Michelle Benjamin from Arlington Police Department

As more consumers choose to do their shopping online and use Internet sites to sell personal items, local police departments noticed a trend of criminals capitalizing on the vulnerabilities of doing business with a stranger. To combat that issue, the Arlington Police Department has created a Safe Exchange program where people can conduct face-to-face meetings for the sale or trade of items in the parking lot of the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Building (620 W. Division Street in Arlington). 

Signage has been placed at the Ott Cribbs Public Safety Building, designating the parking lot as a Safe Exchange Zone. The items most commonly targeted by thieves are popular tennis shoes and electronics, such as cell phones, laptops and tablets. 

“People with the bad intentions will think twice about meeting you and making a transaction at a police station,” said Arlington Police Robbery Sergeant Jason Rash. “For the safety of our residents and a deterrent to that criminal element, people are encouraged to take advantage of our Safe Exchange location when selling or buying items online.” 

Even if sellers/buyers choose not to use the Safe Exchange location, there are steps that can be taken to be safe. 
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Conduct research on both the product you are buying and the person selling to/buying from.
- Never list your home address, phone number, or anything else that could be used to identify you.
- Be wary of individuals who solicit your business without your permission.
- There is safety in numbers. Always take someone with you to conduct a transaction.
- Monitor your children's internet activity, don’t be afraid to be nosy!
- Never meet in out of the way locations.
- Conduct business in a public area with people nearby and never inside of a vehicle.
- Don’t allow the other party to change the location once you arrive.