Summer Sees Rise In Burglaries, Cocoa Police Chief Offers Tip To Avoid Being Victim

'Don’t invite a burglar to steal your stuff'

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — The end of school typically means the beginning of a rise in vehicle and residential burglaries throughout many Central Florida cities.

Cocoa Police Chief Mike Cantaloupe says it’s the perfect time to remind residents to pay extra attention and take precautions in order to avoid becoming a victim.

“By “hardening the target” you make yourself less vulnerable,” Chief Cantaloupe said.

“During this time we often see a spike in vehicle burglaries and it is usually because vehicles are left unsecured with valuables left inside and in plain view. A majority of the time it is a crime of opportunity. Don’t invite a burglar to steal your stuff.”

In 2015, the Cocoa Police Department responded to 523 reported burglaries including residential, commercial and vehicle. Nearly half of this number involved burglaries to vehicles.

Approximately 41 percentof these burglaries occurred during the months of May, June, July and August and more than 50 percent of the burglaries involved theft from vehicles during the summer season.

There are several key actions residents can take to “Harden the Target” and prevent vehicle and residential burglaries.

For Vehicle Burglaries:
• Lock doors and remove valuables, especially firearms, from view.
• Park in well lighted areas.
• Report suspicious individuals to police.
• If able, park inside a garage.
• Get to know neighbors and start a neighborhood watch.
• Text information and photos to dropadime@cocoapolice.com

For Residential Burglaries:
• Put mail and newspaper deliveries on hold if you are leaving town for more than a few days.
• Make sure doors and windows are secured and limit interior views from the outside by closing curtains and blinds.
• Leave lights on inside and outside the home while away.
• Add extra security to sliding glass doors such as a slide-locking bar.
• Test home security alarm systems to make sure they are working properly.
• Install security cameras if you are able.
• Keep garage doors closed if you are not present.
• Get to know neighbors and start a neighborhood watch.
• Text information and photos to dropadime@cocoapolice.com.

“If you see something, say something and we will respond,” Chief Cantaloupe added. “If you think it’s suspicious, odds are it is.”

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