Recently, there has been much discussion about residential burglaries in our community. Our Community Resource Deputy, Greg Sorenson, offers these tips to ensure that you and your family stay safe and your valuables protected:

• Keep doors (including garage) and windows, both to your home and your vehicle, locked. Also, keep yard gates locked and/or secured.

• Keep valuables out of sight.

• Mark and identify all valuables in the home for future identification purposes.

• When away from your house overnight, put house lights on a timer.

• Let your neighbors know when you will be away from the home and if there is supposed to be someone else on your property.

• Have a neighbor collect your newspapers and mail if you are gone.

• Call the Sheriff ’s Office at 681-4100 to have a Vacation Request Form filled out in order to have deputies check your home while gone on vacation.

• Create the illusion that there is always someone at home—even if there is not!

• Be wary of solicitors in your neighborhood:

> NEVER allow a solicitor into your home.

> Ask for identification.

> Ask for a business license that allows them to solicit in your neighborhood.

> Ask for specific information about the charity or organization they are soliciting for including their boss’s name and phone number.

> NEVER give them any personal information (i.e., social security numbers, credit card numbers, bank information, names and numbers of others residing with you, etc.).

If you don’t already, get to know your neighbors. Know who belongs in your neighborhood—and who doesn’t. Be vigilant and look for any suspicious activity. Please, if you see anything/anyone suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1.