The following crime prevention tips were provided by the Kent Police Department.

Exterior

• Adequately light all exterior sides of your business, including alley ways and parking lots, using vandal-resistant fixtures. As most store burglaries occur at night when it’s dark, lighting serves as one of the most important deterrents.
• Install an alarm system and check it regularly for failure. Contact Kent PD for assistance in selecting an alarm system. Post notice you have an active system in place.
• Reinforce doors with long screws or bolts on heavy-duty strike plates, pop-out-proof hinges, or hole/nail combo at top and bottom. Replace all hollow-core exterior doors.
• Install deadbolt locks on all outside doors and double cylinder deadbolts on doors with glass panels. Check the locks are properly installed and used at ALL times.
• Issue as few keys as possible and change the locks if keys are lost or not returned by a former employee. Don’t tag keys with the name of your business.
• Secure all roof openings, air ducts, skylights, air conditioning units, hatchways, doorway transoms, sidewalk and basement openings.
• Don’t provide concealment or climbing platforms for the burglar. Clear and maintain all debris, weeds, and shrubbery away from windows and doors. Lock up ladders and all tools that could make a burglar’s job easier.
• Protect windows and glass doors with transparent window security film, security glazing, or roll-down security panels; or install burglar resistant glass. Use bars or grating on rear and side windows.  Consult with your fire department on fire safety ordinances for doors and windows.  

Interior

• Keep a minimum of cash on the premises. Post signs that say “No cash kept on premise”.
• Consider installing a video camera system. If you already have one, ensure it is working properly, always recording, and provides clear images of what is filmed. Post notice you have an active system in place.
• Move valuable merchandise and business equipment such as computers away from the windows or doors to prevent smash and grab thefts.
• Make it difficult to steal merchandise…bolt racks down, alternate the direction of hangers on the rack, tie appliance cords together, chain bicycles, lock small valuables in cabinets and show cases.
• Arrange window displays so that passersby and police can see into the store.
• Anchor your safe to the floor in a well-lit, highly visible location. Keep all valuable documents and items, including company vehicle keys in safe.
• Always leave on an interior light that is visible from the street. If for any reason it is off, the darkened store will arouse suspicion.
• Don’t lock a burglar inside when you leave. Inspect all closets, bathrooms, and other hiding places before closing. For personal safety, try to have two people present at both opening and closing.

News from the Kent Police Department

Click It or Ticket Patrols to be Increased through June 3

Washington State has a 98% compliance rate for seat belt use, but the state – and Kent PD – want to make it 100%. To reach that goal, area law enforcement is putting an extra emphasis on seat belt compliance through June 3. Watch for extra patrols during this time, and please buckle up every time. Additional patrols are being paid for by a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Kent PD Hosts Community Meeting May 30

The Kent Police Department is hosting its next Community Meeting at Panther Lake Elementary School (10200 SE 216th St.) from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Attend the meeting to meet Kent Police Chief Kent Thomas and Kent PD staff, learn about crime trends in the area, get an update on the police department, learn crime prevention tips and how to safeguard yourself and your family against crime. Q&A follows the police department’s presentation.

Kent Crime Trends

During the week of 5/15 – 5/21, 14 stolen vehicles were recovered in Kent. Most were mid-1990s model Honda Civics and Accords. After they’ve been stolen, the vehicles are usually left abandoned in parking lots or isolated streets where the thieves won’t be noticed. There were 9 commercial burglaries in Kent last week, including 5 in one night in the Kent Valley. Kent PD is working on leads from a video taken at one of the crime scenes.

To prevent crime, be aware of your surroundings. Get to know your neighbors and the vehicles they drive. If you see something suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1. See a damaged vehicle in a parking lot, or someone walking away suspiciously from a car they just parked? Call 9-1-1. Kent PD has recovered stolen vehicles by officers running license plates of unfamiliar cars in unfamiliar places.

Please remember to lock your windows and doors when not at home. Warm weather is a welcome opportunity for thieves and burglaries who have easy access to your home.

For more info. like this, visit Kent PD or Kent Crime Reports online.

The Kent Police Department released the crime stats for last week, July 20-26, 2010, along with some helpful crime prevention tips to keep you and your family safe this summer.

Punched door lock and smashed windows:  According to Kent PD, these are two popular methods for thieves to use to gain access to your vehicle. To prevent this, always lock your car doors and remove valuables from your vehicle. These items are the most appealing to would-be thieves:  GPS units, tools, computers, spare change, sunglasses and cell phone charges.

Full-time DUI patrols are in force:  This summer special full-time DUI patrols are patrolling local streets and highways to keep drunk drivers off the road. Kent PD recommends that you be safe and be smart by finding alternative transportation if you’ve been drinking:  (1) take public transit; (2) designate a driver to remain sober; and (3) take a taxi.

Never leave children unattended in a vehicle: Did you know that it is illegal to leave your vehicle running with a child in it? In addition, running cars with kids in them are easy targets to thieves, and it is unsafe to leave your child or pet in the car during the summer time. When outdoor temps are 80 or above, the inside temp of your vehicle can escalate to as high as 130 degrees in just an hour!

For more tips like these or to learn more about crime prevention, contact one of the Kent PD’s public education specials:

West Hill – Cesi Velez, 253-856-5884

East Hill – Stacy Judd, 253-856-5883

Valley – Sara Wood, 253-856-5851

City of Kent Police Department reported crime stats for the week of February 2 – 8, 2010.  Included in the stats are vehicle prowls, vehicle thefts, residential burglaries and commercial burglaries.

The report also includes crime prevention tips. In this week’s stats, readers are reminded how to identify a suspect:

“A key element to crime prevention is identifying a suspect. Here are some items the police department would utilize if you are witness to criminal activity: Male/Female, Height, Weight, Distinguishing features, Eye color, Skin color, Clothing, Birth marks, Accent in voice, Direction of individual, and any other details you can remember.”

Here are the crime stats from the Kent Police Department for the week of 10/27 – 11/02/09, along with helpful crime prevention tips!

• The cold weather in the morning brings those opportunistic vehicle prowlers and thieves. NEVER leave your car running and unattended in the morning. We have seen cars stolen out of driveways as the bad guy is lurking and waiting for you to leave your car while it warms up.

• The cold weather in the morning also brings holiday shopping. Remove all shopping bags from your vehicle every time you park. Or, if you can’t remove them completely, conceal them in your trunk before you get to your final destination.

• The cold weather also brings darkness earlier. All of us are heading to our cars at the end of a busy work day and it is already dark outside. Make sure you have your car keys in your hand before heading out the door towards your car. Walk with co-workers if possible. Trust your “gut” feeling. If something feels funny, go back inside and ask for someone to walk you to your car. Move your car to a closer parking spot sometime during the day. And, remember to drive carefully out there with your eyes open for pedestrians!

• Copper wire and pipes have been getting stolen lately. If you spot a suspicious vehicle parked on the side of your street, document all the information you can on the vehicle and the people associated and call 911. Don’t just assume they are there to do work. And, if you notice street lights out suddenly that were functioning, document it and call 911. Thieves are taking wire out of light poles, electrical boxes, and more in front of neighbors and passing cars. Keep your eyes and ears open!