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Carbondale police step up efforts to reduce burglaries, vehicle thefts

By Julia Bruck - bio | email

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - As some Carbondale residents take extra precautions to be safe at home, police are stepping up efforts to reduce crime.  Carbondale Police tell Heartland News home burglaries and vehicle thefts have increased.

According to police, reports over the last two weeks or so police have responded six times to residences on East Grand Street.  The calls include armed robbery, burglary, and vehicle damage.  

"I try not to answer my door unless I know who it is," Rebecca Brazas said.

 That is just one of a handful of safety precautions Southern Illinois University student Brazas takes on a daily basis.  Brazas lives in the apartments at 800 East Grand, like a number of other college students.  Brazas says she moved in because it fit her pocket book.

"I knew about the crime before I lived here and that was one of the things that made me shy away.  But ultimately because of the budget I had to pick this place," Brazas explained.

About a mile away, Ryan Sehing walks into a place he calls home.  Just like Brazas, he is also an SIU student and lives on a block where police responded to a home burglary.  However, Sehing says this is not the first time he has faced such crime.

"Last year when I lived at The Reserve and my apartment got broken into while I was home.  So really I am not all that worried about it," Sehing said.

Carbondale Police Chief Jody O'Guinn says he has noticed the recent increase and stepped up enforcement.  O'Guinn tells Heartland News both uniformed and undercover officers are working overtime, patrolling Carbondale's neighborhoods.  He says the economic downturn is the cause of some of the burglaries and vehicle thefts, as thieves usually take things that are easy to sell.

This is why Sehing says he does not have many nice things with him at college.

"Bad things happen to innocent people.  There is nothing you can really do about it.  Just try to protect yourself," Sehing said.

Police say there are several things you can do to protect yourself and your home.  Those include keeping all your doors and windows locked, lighting all your entrances well with motion activated lights and getting to know your neighbors so they can help watch and report suspicious activity.

Burglary Prevention Tips While At Home     

Many cases involve the criminal going from house to house looking for unlocked doors or windows. Often the criminal will knock on the door of a residence to see if anyone is home. If someone answers they will ask for a person, pretending as if they have come to the wrong residence.  In order to make you and your home less of a target, please keep in mind the following :

- Keep all doors and windows locked, even if you are at home, will only be gone a short time or are "just going next door."  Make sure all locks are functioning properly.

- Never allow someone you don't know into your residence. If someone comes to your door needing assistance, offer to call the police for them, while they wait outside.

- Keep valuable items out of sight of passers-by.

- Keep a list of your valuables, including the serial numbers and unique characteristics.  If a burglary does occur having this information can greatly help in the investigation and recovery process.

- Be alert to persons going from house to house, looking in windows or knocking on doors. Report suspicious persons to the police. Make note of the person's physical description, clothing, tattoos or other distinguishing characteristics and give that information to the police.

- Keep all entrances to your residence well lit and maintain landscaping to prevent hiding places.

- Beware of burglars posing as solicitors.  All persons must have a Solicitation Permit issued by the City of Carbondale prior to going door-to-door.  After you verify the solicitor has the proper permit and if you choose to let them in your residence, do not leave them alone while they demonstrate their product.

- Don't advertise the property you have recently purchased or received as a gift.  Put the boxes in a trash bag or trash container.  If you leave them out anyone can see what you now have inside your residence.

- REMEMBER! The best crime prevention tool is alert neighbors. Be aware of suspicious activity in your neighborhood, and report it to the police.

Protecting Your Residence While You Are Away

If you are away from your residence for an extended period of time, check out the following tips to help protect your home:

- Ensure that all the locks for your doors and windows are in good working order well in advance of your planned trip.

- Look into using timers for your lights, television or radio to give the impression that someone is home.  Set the timers up in different rooms and at different times to create the illusion that your residence is still occupied.

- Do not let newspapers or mail pile up while you are away.  Place a hold on these items or have someone collect them for you while you are away.

- Before you leave, check and make sure all your doors and windows are locked before you head out the door.

- If you will be gone for an extended period of time, make arrangements to have your lawn cut while you are gone in the spring, summer or fall.  In the winter, arrange for someone to clear your driveway or sidewalk of any snow accumulation.

- If possible, have someone you trust check in on your residence while you are away.

- If no one is able to check your residence every day, contact the City of Carbondale Police Department about the House Watch Program.

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