Police to residents: Make homes less burglar-friendly

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — Keep the doors and windows locked.

That’s some of the advice given by Gallup Police Department Monday during a home-safety seminar hosted by Octavia Fellin Public Library. After solving a rash of burglaries during the past year — to both cars and homes — police gave residents tips for making their homes and cars less burglar friendly.

“There will be thieves,” Detective Sgt. Matt Wright said. “But we, as citizens, need to make sure our places are safe and secure. Do not do a burglar’s job for him.”

About 13 people attended the free seminar, which was held in a conference room at the library Monday afternoon.

Wright said there are 2.3 million burglaries nationwide each year ... and that installing a security system decreases your chances of being burglarized by 270 percent. Burglars prefer quick, stealthy circumstances — no security, nobody home, doors and windows unlocked.

Another sure deterrent is a dog, police said. Jose Estrada, 14, Daniel Nieto,18, and Aaron “Chips” Sayre, 17 — the core trio believed responsible for more than 30 burglaries since late 2007 — said after they were apprehended in late February that they never cased a house with a dog, except once, accidentally.

“Stealth is a burglar’s best friend,” Detective Victor Rodriguez said Monday. “You have to think like a criminal. Where will a criminal look?”

Reporter Phil Stake can be reached at philip.stake@gmail.com, or by calling (505) 863-6811 x223.