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Burglaries prompt security inspections
By Sam Scott
Michael Drago, a Sunnyvale Crime Prevention Assistant, inspects the dead bolt on a house in South Sunnyvale, asking if the bolt is secured with three-inch screws. Drago says most dead bolts connect to doors with one-inch screws and are no match for a strong kick.
He then moves on to other parts of the house, examining windows, outside lights and shrubbery. The idea of the inspection, he says, is to point out ways to make the house less attractive to burglars.
"The theory is to make it not worth their time to have to work and work [to break in] when they face a felony and there might not be anything inside," he says.
Sunnyvale Public Safety (SPS) for several years has offered the free residential and commercial security checks. A recent cluster of break-ins, however, may increase residents' demands for the service.
Since Nov. 5, burglars have struck 19 times on the south side of the city near Homestead and Wolfe Roads. The most recent crime occurred Jan.14, according to Laura Gentry, a crime analyst with Sunnyvale Public Safety. The suspects typically have entered homes through the back yard and taken small valuables.
The police are not commenting on whether or not they have clues, suspects, or leads.
"We don't comment on in-progress investigations," says Sunnyvale Public Safety Captain Chuck Eaneff.
In a community lulled by across-the-board drops in crime, the break-ins have caused concern.
"You hear about it all the time," says Sara White, a south side resident who recently had her home inspected. Although White says she already knew much of what crime prevention inspectors told her, it was good to hear it reinforced.
"It was worthwhile," she says, "It's a good service."
Holly Lofgren, a Martin Avenue resident, says she spent the holidays with an eye open for suspicious goings-on. Lofgren's street recently was hit by burglars four times in one week.
"I was watching anybody who was sitting on the street, anybody who was going around the street," she says.
It is that type of vigilance which police say they need to catch the criminals.
"You can flood an area (with patrols)," Eaneff says, "but unless you're looking for a specific person or car, it's not going to make a difference. It's the people who live there who really know what is out of place, that's what's going to make the difference."
Eaneff says most criminals aren't especially skilled. Breaking into a house typically is not difficult, he says.
"It doesn't take a lot of skill to jump a fence and break a window."
The high-risk, low reward nature of the recent burglaries may indicate someone desperate for money, Eaneff says. Burglary also is a characteristic of drug addicts, he says.
"One reason we so actively work on narcotics in Sunnyvale is to drive down the burglary rate," he says.
Eaneff recommends that residents have their homes inspected and their possessions engraved, both services that SPS provides.
The advice inspectors give is simple, but sensible. All four sides of a house should be lit with motion-lights, posted as high as possible. The garage-to-outside door should be as secure as the front door. Shrubbery should be kept back to prevent it being used as cover. Gates should be padlocked. Also, residents should not enter a home that looks like it has been burglarized.
Eaneff says residents interested in home inspections should call 730-7140. Those with clues should call investigations at 408.730.7120.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
