Cedar Rapids police caution public in light of burglary increases

The Cedar Rapids police department is cautioning the public and asking them to report suspicious activity following a recent string of burglaries since the beginning of the year.

A release from the department said there has been an increase in residential burglaries across Cedar Rapids, with 358 reported between Jan. and May 2011 and 384 over the same time period in 2012.

Officials said the burglaries have been occurring in the daytime hours between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The burglars typically knock on the front and back door of homes and if no one answers, the release said the suspects have been entering the homes by breaking into side windows and doors. The perpetrators are typically taking electronics and jewelry, the release said.

The department is asking the public to report suspicious behavior, or when someone is near a neighbors home or yard when they should not be.

To report suspicious behavior:

Citizens can call the Cedar Rapids Police Department non-emergency number at 286-5491 or 911 if they see someone actually breaking into a house. They can also call Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME or text to CRIMES (274637) and in the message/subject, type 5227 and your tip. You can continue to trade information with an investigator. Text STOP to opt out at any time. If the information they give, leads to an arrest, they may be eligible for a reward. All calls are anonymous.

To reduce chances of being a victim, the department issued the following guidelines:

• Lock your doors. The Cedar Rapids Police are seeing both forced and non-forced burglaries.
• Use adequate exterior locks and/or single or double cylinder deadbolts on every exterior door.
• Use 2 – 3 inch screws to secure the strike plate on every exterior door.
• Leave various lights on when you are going to be gone, even during the day. Use timers on the lights and change the timing periodically.
• Use a timer on a radio.
• Record all serial numbers of electronics. If your property is stolen, it cannot be returned without the serial number.
• Properly trim trees and branches from the house. Do not provide a hiding spot for burglars or a way to climb to a second floor window.
• Have adequate security lighting. Light up your house, not just your yard. Install motion lights to light up your yard.
• Use Anti-lift slide devices on sliding doors and windows.
• Get to know your neighbors. Start a neighborhood watch. If you see someone at your neighbor's home, call them and check if anyone should be in their back yard or worse, in their house.