Alert Neighbors Help LB Police Nab Peninsula Burglars

A Long Beach Peninsula resident and his neighbors acted quickly to report burglars fleeing his beach house, helping arriving officers who chased them down, police said Wednesday.

The quick action of alert neighbors who could direct police aided in a swift arrest of a pair of local youths, the Long Beach Police Department said in an announcement.

Noting that home burglaries are up 19% in 2012 over 2011, Long Beach police offered the following safety tips and reminders:

• 
  Meet your neighbors and participate in Community Watch - This makes it easier to recognize a person that doesn’t belong.  Neighbors who communicate are more likely to look out for one another.
• Always report suspicious persons or activity immediately by calling Long Beach Police Dispatch at 9-1-1 or (562) 435-6711.
• Report loiterers – Loitering is often a precursor activity for burglars, enabling them to case the area.
• Keep any gates to backyards locked and secure at all times.
• Keep porch lights on at night.
• Be sure your house number is visible from the street - Should police or emergency personnel need to respond to your location, it allows them to find the location more quickly.
• Record serial numbers and photograph valuables to aid in claiming stolen property.
• Consider installing surveillance cameras to deter suspicious activity in your alley.
• When away for extended periods, make sure your home has the “lived in” look – Have lights on timers and ask a neighbor to clear any newspapers and fliers that may accumulate.
• Request a free “vacation check” by contacting the Senior Police Partner volunteers at (562) 570-7212.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Frank Romero of the Juvenile Investigations Section at (562) 570-1456 or (562) 570-1425.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit http://www.lacrimestoppers.org/.