Neighborhood Safety TIPS
As an unsuspecting homeowner, you could be making a crook rich. Your garbage
is a gold mine. Millions of dollars a year are made by crooks that go through
garbage receptacles, recovering canceled checks, deposit slips, and credit
card receipts, which they use to create phony identification papers. Then
go on to cashing counterfeit checks, filing false tax returns, even staging
auto accidents to support fraudulent claims. Use care when disposing of
informational items. Is it time for everyone to use a home paper shredder?
A Neighbor on Marston had their garage broken into last summer. What is
technically a theft (no forced entry) seemed more like a burglary in that
the thieves obviously knew what they were doing and had previously scoped
the place out. The night before the theft, the homeowners found their outside
light bulbs had been turned just enough so the lights didn't work. Thinking
nothing of it, the homeowners screwed the bulbs back in so they were lit.
The evening of the theft, the lightbulbs had been again loosened. Tip: If
something seems unusual, it probably is. Beef up your home security! The
same Neighbors reported that last summer after the MPD stepped up patrols
in Tenney Park Beach parking lot, illicit drug activity moved to Marston.
Bicycle Theft Update
New on the list of questionable practices by known bicycle thieves, is the
quasi-legal tactic of asking to "borrow" a bicycle. This may seem
harmless enough, but if the "borrower" doesn't return the bicycle,
you may be out of luck. It is up to you or your parents to go to the "borrower's"
house and retrieve your possession. YOU could conceivably be charged with
trespass if you go into the "borrower's" yard, garage, or house
in an attempt to get your bicycle back. Your best bet is "neither a
borrower nor a lender be". The burden of proof is on you if you decide
to call the MPD. Your bicycle must be registered and licensed for them to
act on a complaint. In the meantime, lending your bicycle to anyone that
you are not sure you can trust can lead to one less bicycle at your house.