Nokomis crime watch

A recent rash of burglary and grafitti incidents in the Nokomis area has the police calling out to the community for help in investigating and alerting citizens to be on the lookout for suspicious individuals.

Police are currently investigating an explosion of about 20 crimes of graffiti vandalism (Property Damage by Graffiti) in Regina Neighborhood on Monday night, June 7, into early Tuesday morning.

The area hit was between East 44th to East 46th Street, on Portland, Oakland, Park and Columbus. It's possible that the damage was done between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.; neighbors told police they were awakened by dogs barking in the area but did not investigate.

The suspect sprayed blue paint in symbols and words on the sides of houses, garages, on a trailer, motorcycle, fence, fire hydrant, vehicle hub cap, a stop sign and one-way sign, garbage containers, plastic yellow speed bump, metal pole, garage door, basketball backboard, a camper trailer, boat and cover and a vehicle.

The investigation is being headed by Sgt. Donna Olson, MPD's graffiti coordinator
If you see graffiti vandalism occurring, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you are the victim of graffiti, call the Graffiti Hotline at 612 -673-2090 to report graffiti. Victims can also report on line at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/graffiti. You must have the exact address to report it.

Private property owners are responsible for the removal of graffiti within 20 days of notification from City Inspections.

Police are also investigating the spate of recent burglaries in Sector 3 of the Third Precinct. Seven house burglaries and 11 garage burglaries have occurred during the last two weeks. Several of them took place within a few blocks and within a few days of each other in the Nokomis East area. There is no suspect information.

In one case, the two victims were outside working in their yard. The front door was locked but the back door was unlocked. Victim's purse was on the kitchen table or on the back porch. While they were outside, someone entered the back door and took the purse, fleeing without being seen.

At one address, the same garage was hit two times, one week apart. The home owner installed a new deadbolt after the first burglary, and although there were pry marks on the door, the lock and door held and the second break-in failed! Excellent victory for the victim!

What you can do: PUT THESE TIPS INTO PRACTICE!

Be aware of strangers loitering in the area when you leave your house. Make sure you know your neighbors!

Make your home look occupied.

Keep your doors locked at all times.

Be on the lookout. The police want you to call 911 for any suspicious activity or sounds such as strangers walking in yards or between houses, unfamiliar trucks or vans lingering in the alley, and breaking glass or loud banging.

Install deadbolt locks (with a 1" throw) and a high-security strike plate (with 3" screws) on home and garage doors. If you have glass within 42" of the door lock, consider: 1) a double-cylinder deadbolt lock, 2) tempered glass, or 3) a decorative grille over the glass.

Use window pins, track fillers, or additional locks to prevent windows from being opened more than 6".

Lock your vehicle when it is in the garage. Don't leave valuables in the vehicles, even CDs.

Leave outdoor lights on overnight—it costs less than one penny per hour for a 75-watt light bulb; fluorescents are even cheaper! Or install photosensitive lighting that operates from dusk to dawn, mounted high enough to be out of reach of crooks.

Mark your property with Operation Identification. Call 612-673-2749 to get your personal number, marking pen and instructions.

Call your SAFE Crime Prevention Specialist Sue Roethele, 612-673-2839, to schedule a home security check.