There has been a more than 20 percent increase here in residential and vehicle burglaries during the first four months of the year, and police are warning residents about people ringing doorbells to check if residents are home, according to the Hollister Police Department.
“Several reports indicate that the would-be suspects rang the victim’s doorbell or knocked at the door several times in order to see if someone was home. Community members also report doorbell ringing at odd hours of the day and, when checked, there was no one at the door,” according to the HPD announcement.
Police said sometimes residents answer the doors, and the person asks for someone who does not live there.
The police department from January through April reported 126 burglaries, up from 104 the prior year during the same time, according to Interim Police Chief David Westrick. That represents around a 21 percent spike.
Westrick said there were 58 vehicle burglaries during that time – up from 39 the prior year, or nearly a 49 percent increase.
Police are asking residents to report such crimes to the non-emergency line (831) 636-4331.
“Please provide the description of the person(s), the clothes they are wearing, direction of travel or any vehicles that might be associated with them,” the department requested.
The HPD provided these additional crime tips:
Community members are encouraged to communicate with trusted neighbors when they are absent from their residence for long periods of time or on vacation. Neighbors should be on the lookout for suspicious activity. Motion sensing lights, locking of outer doors, windows and gates are all essential elements of crime prevention and hardening access to your home and vehicle. Exchanging cell phone numbers with your neighbors so you can be reached when away from your home also opens lines of communications and more awareness in the community. Citizens should also make it a habit of removing valuable items such as purses and laptop computers from the vehicles when left unattended.
