The Garden City Police Department reported two residential burglaries and one attempted residential burglary during the past week. These incidents appear to be similar to a burglary pattern occurring in jurisdictions bordering Garden City. The Garden City Detective Division is working closely with the Nassau County Detective Division in the investigation of these incidents. In addition, the department is increasing their residential patrols with both marked and unmarked vehicles. Evidence recovered at some of these locations has been collected and sent out to laboratories for testing.
In light of these incidents in Garden City and adjoining jurisdictions, Garden City Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson offers the following recommendations:
If you have an alarm use it at all times, even if you are leaving the residence for a few minutes.
Trim overgrown shrubbery and trees where someone would be able to conceal themselves.
Check exterior and interior lighting; this includes the back and sides of the home.
Check windows and door locks; make sure they are in working order.
Keep all doors and windows locked when you are home, away or just in your back yard.
Move and secure items from your yard that could be used to facilitate entry through windows or doors.
Close your drapes, blinds and window treatments at night as a deterrent.
Surveillance and alarm systems should be routinely checked to ensure proper operation.
Consider a panic alarm or keeping a telephone near the bed.
Leave an interior light on or use a timer. Leave a radio or television on when out of the house.
Discontinue any deliveries while away on business or vacation.
Ensure that deliveries to your residence are removed promptly by a family member or neighbor.
Inventory, photograph and have an appraisal conducted on valuable items.
When approaching or leaving your home, be aware of suspicious persons or vehicles.
Varying your routine can be an additional deterrent.
Do not enter your residence if you think someone may be inside; notify the police immediately.
If you hear or see someone in your home, exit if you can and discretely call the police right away.
Do not try to confront the intruder.
If a burglar does confront you, remain calm; comply with the burglars’ instructions.
Remember your life is more valuable than your property.
Try to memorize a description of the subject or vehicle.
When the subject leaves, call the police by dialing 911.
In addition to these recommendations, the Garden City Police Department urges all residents to be aware of suspicious activity around them, and to call promptly during the following situations:
Call when your or a neighbor’s house/car alarm goes off.
Call when there are suspicious noises or persons in your yard or a neighbor’s yard.
Call when you see a suspicious person and/or vehicle.
Call if a vehicle is observed driving up and down the street continuously for no apparent reason.
Try to obtain a plate number and a good description of suspicious vehicles.
Try to obtain a good description of all suspicious persons and/or possible suspects
Call when you observe activity at a neighbor’s residence when you know they are away.
If you see a neighbor’s door or window ajar, open or broken, call the police.
If you see a neighbor’s car door or window open or broken, call police.
Call when your dog barks due to some type of activity outside, particularly during evening and night hours.
Neighbors can help the police in the prevention of burglaries and in the apprehension of suspects. There have been numerous incidents where the keen observation of residents has resulted in the apprehension of persons committing criminal acts. In addition, residents with surveillance systems are encouraged to notify the Garden City Police Department when it is possible that their system recorded a crime or other suspicious activity either on their property, in the street, or an adjacent property. Surveillance systems have proven to be significant tools in the prevention of criminal acts, as well as in the apprehension of suspects.
—Submitted by Garden City Police Department
