Ann Arbor police urge residents to take precautions against break-ins during warmer weather
As the weather gets warmer and residents have reveled in unseasonably warm temperatures for March, Ann Arbor police are reminding residents to still shut and lock their windows to avoid break-ins.
Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said a home in the 400 block of Hamilton Place was broken into after its residents left the front window open and unlocked. Bush said the home invasion occurred last Friday at about 4:20 a.m.
Nothing was taken and the 20-year-old and 22-year-old Ann Arbor men who lived in the home were not injured, but Bush encouraged residents to take more caution during the springtime warmth.
“As temperatures get warmer, people are looking in windows and trying to figure out how to get into homes,” Bush said. “If things are strange and don’t look right, call 911.”
Ann Arbor has experienced a rash of break-ins during the first few months of 2012 that, year-to-date, are higher than past years. While the trend seemed to slow in early March, warm temperatures generally bring more potential for break-ins.
Bush said a prime example of warmer weather meaning more potential criminals on the street was an incident at 1 a.m. last Thursday in the 2000 block of Pauline Court.
A resident heard a neighbor’s dog barking and looked outside of the window to see a man wearing a black cap and black sweatpants looking into the home’s window, Bush said. The man did not actually try to enter the home, but Bush said it was possible he was scoping out the home in order to break in.
It’s unknown where he went after he was seen and the man is still at large, Bush said. More patrols have been requested for the area, she said.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
observer
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
They should have Det. Tacey handle these cases. He handled a matter of mine and did a good job!!!!!
JPLewis
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 11:15 a.m.
In other news, Water is wet. Please people, don't rely on the police to tell you when you should or shouldn't beware of crime. Take responsibility for your own protection ALL the time.
RJA
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 12:16 a.m.
Beef up our police and fire department?? We have so few already. I suggest homeowners beef up for their own safety. Many homeowners are lacking in this department.
Cathy
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 11:23 p.m.
I have an idea: why don't we KEEP CRIMINALS IN PRISON?
CPLtownie
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 3:24 a.m.
There's not enough room. I had an employee's car that was broken into (middle of day,) police caught the guy, arrested him (had priors), released him (no room), and now he's walking around with multiple felony warrants. He'll continue his MO until someone gets in his way and he hurts them. It's just how things go these days. Didn't Mary Sue Coleman just state that we spend more on prisons than education, because she is upset about state funds being cut to her school? What about our elected officials of Ann Arbor putting public art above public safety? I'm not saying more prisons are the answer, because clearly they are not. But being proactive and having police departments that are staffed to quell potential crimes is the answer. An old fashioned smack down of these perps, and they will crawl back under the rocks. Less permissiveness, less excusing of bad behaviour, less worrying about political correctness and call things as they are. These people preying on Ann Arbor are doing so because they are banking on no one standing up to them and saying NO, WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS.
ffej440
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
Comparing the last two paragraphs to recent events is a violation of "conversation guidelines"? Sorry but I think its very relevant, when you have run stories all week telling us how profiling is bad. Then you run a story telling us just the reverse. Prehaps you are unaware that winter caps worn in the summer are "gangster fashion". Its possible the house was being "scoped out" its also possible someone is staying at their fathers girlfriends house and forgot the keys.
Wolf's Bane
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 5:44 p.m.
Just a few quick tips: 1. Close your blinds and lock all doors and windows on the first floor of your house before going to bed at night. 2. Regularly touch base with your neighbors; even an occasional 'Hello.' This breeds familiarity and you'll be able to recognize their voices. 3. Recognize when neighborhood dogs bark and when. 4. Be aware of suspicious vehicles that appear at strange hours or vehicles that make repeated drive-bys. 5. if intruders were to make it inside your home, have an evacuation plan in place or a plan for self-defense.
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.
The Hoodie is irony. Get it, irony?
ffej440
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
4. Suspicious to who? Strange hours for who? Odd comments from someone called "A2 Hoodie" I thought profiling was what you hoodies are against ? You can't have it both ways.
CPLtownie
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 7:43 p.m.
Thank you for the common sense tips. When I first moved here, I couldn't believe the number of people that didn't (still don't) lock their doors. Especially students! And I'm hoping the best outcome of the crimes that are occurring is that people care more about their neighbours, and the culture of heads down, ears plugged, and the me me me attitude will change. When I was little, people knew their neighbourhood & cared enough to watch each others back. That has happened on State St, and the atmosphere has been remarkably better for the past 2 weeks. Of course, the 7 cameras installed in and around the arcade have been a buzz kill to the thugs hanging in that area. Smile! And go deal your drugs and thuggery elsewhere. Big thanks to Nickels Arcade management! Now if we could get some installed in Liberty Plaza...
zanzerbar
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 4:52 p.m.
Deleted re-post: Before you good citizens of Ann Arbor start shooting at intruders. Try installing simple door and window alarms. They can be purchased at your local electronics store for less than $15.00. Hows that?
zanzerbar
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
@CPL: In case you haven't a clue, alarms are for discouraging entry. And alerting your neighbors (or yourself) that something is amiss .Just be sure you spend a fair amount of time at the range. ("Hows that" was directed at the moderators)
CPLtownie
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 9:03 p.m.
I fully understand an alarm can alert, however, a $15 alarm is dependent on batteries, is not linked to a phone line to alert police, and is a false sense of security, especially when someone is kicking in your door (these lightweight alarms are easily drowned out and are often viewed akin to car alarms - how many times are those ignored.) I have motion lights, due diligence on all fence gates (locked) have brass window stops, and keep all doors locked. I keep an eye on my neighbours, and they keep an eye on me - 4 houses up and down my block. Ann Arbor is brimming with ne'er do wells, and the fact of the matter is people are being assaulted (broad daylight), and now these threats are coming into our homes. It remains to be seen if the serial rapist will make another foray when the conditions are right. $15 isn't going to help a whole lot, no matter how many you install on every door/window. I maintain common sense practices, I have a dog who growled me awake last November and alerted me to a "gentleman" who was right next the window where I sleep, attempting to lift a bike over my locked fence. To clue you in, it was 2 feet away from me. Obviously not a defense situation then, but on a hot summer night, could very well be. I practice at a range twice weekly. Am quite proficient. Preparedness = a more level headed response. Hope your alarm works when you need it.
zanzerbar
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.
@CPL: In case you haven't a clue, alarms are for discouraging entry. And alerting your neighbors (or yourself) that something is amiss .Just be sure you spend a fair amount of time at the range. ("Hows that" was directed at the moderators)
CPLtownie
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 7:29 p.m.
Which alarm can I install on myself for a rape? Which alarm will tell an intruder to please go elsewhere? Sorry...I won't trust my life, my family's life, to a $15 battery operated whine. I suggest the miscreants mind their business and they won't have anything to worry about. How's that?
Dog Guy
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
It is true that Ann Arbor has fair-weather crooks. It is also true that crooks are lazy . . . that is why I live on top of a hill. (that and the flooding)
CPLtownie
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.
Oops, didn't finish... Concepts in Ammuntion supplies rubber bullets in all caliber. And it's Michigan Made, right in Garden City! Support a local business and defend yourself. I have a 2 strike policy. 2 are rubber, rest are JHP for your 3 strike out. No looking to hurt anyone, but not looking TO be hurt, either.
CPS
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 1:49 p.m.
Cool! Thanks for the info...especially cool since it is a Michigan made product :) BTW, I hope you are using a revolver as the FAQ says these won't cycle a semi....
CPLtownie
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
I urge the City Mayor and City Council to take precautions and beef up our Police and Fire Departments. Castle Doctrine. Have a copy on your porch for intruders to read and make a decision on whether or not to proceed.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 12:09 p.m.
I've read up on Michigan's Castle Doctrine Law and I think I'm safe, I hope the criminals have read up on the Michigan's Castle Doctrine Law also, there's some things in that law they might want to know about before they enter someone home.