The 15th District would like to alert you to the increase in Residential Burglaries in your area. We want to make sure you are taking precautions to ensure you and your family remain safe. As always, and this may sound repetitive, you must always make sure your home is secure when you leave it and while you are in it. If you see anyone or anything suspicious call 911. If you have any information you would like to share, you can reach us at 215 686-3150 or 686-3151. You can do so anonymously and we will be most grateful.

If you would like to talk to our Crime Prevention Officer you can reach Police Officer Jennifer Coco at extension #5501 at either 215 685-8698 or e-mail: police.tlo_15@phila.gov

WITH THE HOLIDAYS APPROACHING QUICKLY, CAPTAIN FRANCIS J. BACHMAYER  AND OFFICERS OF THE 15^TH DISTRICT WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR SINCERE WISHES FOR A SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY.

TAKE A MINUTE TO REVIEW SOME “HOLIDAY CRIME PREVENTION TIPS”

• WHEN COOKING FOR THE HOLIDAYS, NEVER LEAVE COOKING UNATTENDED
• ALWAYS TURN POT HANDLES INWARD TO PREVENT SPILL INJURIES
• KEEP OVENS CLEAN TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
• MOST IMPORTANTLY DO NOT USE THE OVEN TO HEAT THE HOUSE

HOME SAFETY

• KEEP THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME WELL-LIT WITH DOORS AND WINDOWS LOCKED
• CHECK WATER LEVEL ON YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE  DAILY TO PREVENT DRYING OUT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE HAZARD
• CAREFULLY INSPECT LIGHTS AND CORDS BEFORE USING THEM
• DO NOT DISPLAY GIFTS BENEATH THE TREE THAT CAN BE SEEN FROM WINDOWS OR DOORS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS
• DO NOT ADVERTISE GIFTS RECEIVED BY THE BOXES YOU PUT OUT IN YOUR WEEKLY COLLECTION.  DESTROY BOXES AND PLACE THEM IN NON-CLEAR GARBAGE BAGS
• BE AWARE THAT CRIMINALS SOMETIMES POSE AS COURIERS DELIVERING GIFTS
• CRIMINALS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GENEROSITY OF PEOPLE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY SOLICITING DONATIONS DOOR TO DOOR FOR CHARITABLE CAUSES, ALTHOUGH NO CHARITY IS INVOLVED.  ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION AND FIND OUT HOW DONATED FUNDS WILL BE USED, ALL THE WHILE KEEPING SCREEN DOORS LOCKED,  ANY QUESTIONS CALL 911

SHOPPING SAFETY

• TRY TO SHOP DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. IF NOT TRY TO HAVE SOMEONE SHOP WITH YOU AT NIGHTTIME
• STAY ALERT TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS……WATCH FOR STRANGERS APPROACHING YOU FOR ANY REASON AT THIS TIME OF YEAR “CON-ARTISTS” MAY TRY VARIOUS METHODS OF DISTRACTING YOU WITH THE INTENTION OF TAKING MONEY OR BELONGINGS
• AVOID CARRYING LARGE AMOUNTS OF CASH
• DO NOT LEAVE PACKAGES OR VALUABLES ON YOUR CAR SEATS. LOCK THEM IN THE TRUNK
• CHECK YOUR VEHICLE BEFORE GETTING INTO IT FOR SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE HIDING NEAR OR IN IT
• NEVER LEAVE YOUR CAR UNOCCUPIED WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING OR WITH CHILDREN INSIDE

AS ALWAYS IF YOU SEE ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY CALL 911

Saturday was one of those days we were waiting for after all the rain and then the chill of the past few weeks.  It was also a busy day in Frankford with more events than I could hope to cover.

So first I stopped by the flea market sponsored by the parents of Mastery Charter School Smedley Elementary at Wissinoming Park.  It was a beautiful morning and I found quite a few folks looking at the goods even that early.

Next stop was the Smedley building which is under construction of the new classrooms.  The 15th District PDAC and the 15th District police officers were putting on a time for the kids.  There was a great crowd of kids, parents, cops and PDAC folks there.  If you look closely you will see Captain Bachmayer himself.

Captain Bachmayer, District Commander for the 15th police patrol district asked us to spread the word about the increase in residential burglary in Frankford.  Although arrests were recently made, there is no reason to let down your guard.  The area roughly bounded by Torresdale Avenue, Margaret Street, Oakland Street and Unity Street have seen the greatest increase.  About a third of the burglaries involve vacant properties.   Generally they take place during daylight hours.  Owners of vacant property should know that you can lose a small fortune in copper pipes that burglars will take which will make your property uninhabitable.

Home owners should be vigilant and on the alert for suspicious activity.  If you have a burglary, no matter how small, call 911.  Do not disturb anything.  The police may want to take fingerprints for the investigation.

Check out John Loftus in the Northeast Times for some common sense ways to avoid burglary.  See below for a new way to get timely notice, sent to your email or cell phone, of things of interest from the police department.

15TH DIST TOWN HALL MTG AT ST JOACHIM’S CHURCH (GRISCOM-CHURCH)3-16-10 AT 7PM

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