Another Break-In Reported, Burglaries in Redlands Up 23 Percent YTD Over 2011

Redlands police investigated another burglary report Wednesday, this one on Crown Street near Monte Vista Drive, adding to a 23 percent increase noted in burglaries this year compared to the same time-period last year.

The burglary was reported in the 1500 block of Crown, city spokesman Carl Baker said.

A resident of Smiley Heights who did not want to be identified claimed to see as many as 10 police cars at Crown and Monte Vista. At 3 p.m. Dec. 12, police told the resident they did not have a suspect and advised residents keep their doors locked.

Further details were not available from police. The burglary report on Crown remained under investigation, Baker said.

Before noon Wednesday, there were 307 burglaries reported in Redlands so far in 2012. By comparison, there were 250 burglaries reported in Redlands for the same time period through Dec. 12, 2011, Baker said.

In recent months, there were 22 burglaries in November and 20 in October, Baker said.

"Overall burglaries are up year-to-date over last year by 23 percent," Baker said.

Redlands police Chief Mark Garcia spoke about the rise in certain crime categories, especially property crime, during his Town Hall meeting in September, Baker said.

"Property crime, theft, auto theft, burglary, are all up in the range of 15 to more than 20 percent," Baker said.

Redlands police have been busy with reported break-ins recently, and they have closed several burglary cases with arrests. Click here for more Redlands-Loma Linda Patch reports.

The Police Department monitors specific crime hot spots, which can change from week to week, Baker said.

Police officers and detectives also take proactive measures, including having Citizen Volunteer Patrol members distribute information to residents so they can be aware and report suspicious activity, Baker said.

Click here for an August report on "You Are at Risk" fliers distributed in one Redlands neighborhood.

"Other proactive measures are specific to the crime issue and are confidential," Baker said.

Strategies residents can take to try to discourage break-ins and burglary attempts include close communication with neighbors, in any part of Redlands.

For links to more detailed crime stats, maps and analysis in Redlands, visit www.cityofredlands.org/Police/crimestatistics.

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