Ann Arbor police reminding residents to lock windows and doors after weekend break-ins
Ann Arbor police are encouraging residents to lock their windows and doors as summer gets into full swing after multiple break-ins at unlocked homes recently.
Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said four break-ins reported since Saturday all included entry through unlocked windows and unlocked side doors.
Police area reminding residents to look windows and doors after some weekend break-ins.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
On Saturday afternoon, a 21-year-old Ann Arbor woman reported her apartment in the 1700 block of Broadway Street had been broken into while she was away. The woman had been in the process of moving to a new apartment from noon June 15 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Bush said. When the woman returned to the Broadway Street apartment, she found dirt on the window and bed in the room.
The room had been secured and the window was shut, but not locked, Bush said. An LG Blu-ray player and cash had been left on the bed and were stolen during the break-in, Bush said. The screen was removed from the window and the window was open, she said.
A 54-year-old woman woke up Sunday morning to find her TV and cellphone were stolen when someone entered the residence through an unlocked sliding screen door, Bush said. The woman went to bed at 1:30 a.m. and woke up at 8:20 a.m. Sunday having left the sliding door open with the screen door shut because of the heat.
The screen door was open when she woke and the TV was gone, Bush said. When the woman went to call police, she realized her cellphone had also been stolen. The woman reported the incident to police and officers canvassed the neighborhood, but no one heard or saw anything related to the incident, she said.
A 22-year-old Ann Arbor man reported the porch area of his home in the 3400 block of Platt Road also was broken into sometime between Saturday night and Monday afternoon.
Bush said the man left the home at 9:30 p.m. Saturday and returned at 12:30 p.m. Monday to find the unlocked side door to the porch had been used to gain access. Car parts and tools were stolen, and the man is still compiling a list of other items that may have been stolen, she said.
View Ann Arbor break-ins June 23-25 in a larger map
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
Zoe
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.
Ann Arbor's crime rate is obviously low compared to the national average, but I did find it striking how few police officers I see around. Not that I want to be living in a "police state," but I think there could definitely be more officers. I just moved here after attending school in Amherst, MA, an area with a similar demographic. There were A LOT more police, which typically I bemoaned, but now I see why it was necessary.
anti-thug
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
we are only below average in one catogery really, besides crime stastics can be bent to mean anything ...go to nigborhood scout and see how some of Ann Arbor areas have higher crime rates then yplanti.
Birdie
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.
Get a big mean dog.
Doug
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
Does the title mean that you do not have to lock your windows and doors before weekend break-ins?
hmsp
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 1:16 a.m.
Yeah, one of these days, I'm really going to have to start locking my doors. 'Course, I've been saying that for about 40 years now... But I'm extra-vigilant compared to my neighbor across the street — I lock my doors when I go on vacation. My neighbors have impressive security — an alarm system, Medeco locks, Lexan screwed over all of the glass in the house's doors, etc. All installed by the last owner, a perhaps-justifiably-paranoid Big Apple refugee. The current owners, however, just can't get excited about all of that, so they leave their doors unlocked when they go to Florida for a couple of weeks. Makes it easier on us dog-walker/cat-sitter types. But by all means, lock your doors, join Neighborhood Watch groups, and arm yourselves — but most of us townies will probably keep to the systems that have served us so well for the past half-century-plus.
Madeleine Borthwick
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.
hmsp, i'm guessing that after they come home and find their home has been ransacked, they'll sing a different tune...I wonder what their insurance co. would have to say about all this?
Roy Munson
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
"All installed by the last owner, a perhaps-justifiably-paranoid Big Apple refugee." You can also be a justifiably paranoid Ann Arbor resident. Actually, that is a really good idea to be that way. These home B&E thugs are running wild over the city and have been for a while. Time for those in denial to wake up!
Ron Granger
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 12:18 a.m.
Katy bar the door! There's hoodlums and zombies out there!
jns131
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 6:55 p.m.
Katy? That ain't gonna keep them out for long.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 11:20 p.m.
Doesn't it make sense to keep your windows and doors locked? Sure, someone can BREAK in, but why make it possible for them to just STROLL in? I would rather have someone who wants to break in have to make noise doing so than come around the corner from another room and find them standing there with my TV in hand.
kathryn
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 1:33 a.m.
It does, unless you don't have or cannot afford to run an air-conditioner. Then it's necessary to leave windows open (especially at night) to maintain a reasonable temperature in the house, especially this summer.
MoonmanDon
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 10:30 p.m.
Duh.
aa1940
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 10:08 p.m.
I think the quote should be that crime in trending downhill
Carole
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.
Mayor and council, tell me again, just how safe is our city. Citizens, one way we can help is by watching and beware of what's happening in the neighborhood, especially if we know a neighbor may be at work, vacation, etc.
jim
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
Please don't complain about crime in Ann Arbor. You might get sent to a reeducation camp. That's what happens with a one party government, isn't it?
John of Saline
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.
Maybe we should expose the criminals to public art and see what happens. Maybe we could get them to steal it.
f4phantomII
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 7:16 p.m.
I'm confused. "The room had been secured and the window was shut, but not locked". How can one say a room is secured if the window isn't locked? It seems that in each case something was unlocked. While the burglars weren't invited in, how are those "break-ins"? I'm just a simple country boy from a small midwestern town. I like plain English.
G. Orwell
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 6:52 p.m.
I would not be surprised if criminals are targeting homes in AA because they know vast majority of people are not armed. Things are only going to get worse. Get trained and arm yourselves. More armed citizens, less crime.
jns131
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 6:54 p.m.
More Neighborhood Watches, less guns and more phone calls. If someone is watching? Then the perps won't come a calling.
RJA
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
What the hell, how many times do people have to be reminded? And by Police yet? I agree that this will not stop break-ins.
djacks24
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
"I agree that this will not stop break-ins." "Thank you for a voice of reason." So if neither of you think this will make a difference, do you lock your doors? If so, why waste your time?
djacks24
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.
The common denominator in this story with every case represented is that the homes were not locked. Why is this so hard to understand? Did they happen to mention any cases here where a home was locked and still broken into? Did they mention the same thing happens in Winter when homes are closed up? What is it you people don't understand? Did you ask the crooks if it made a difference if the home was locked?
Dave
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
oh wait! we cant afford police in this town because of the downward crime trend and art in the city!! Maybe we should immortalize the robbers with a bronze statue in the newly proposed "central park in Ann Arbor" that people want on the top of the still unfinished underground parking garage! This city government is wasting tax dollars.
Goober
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 5:50 p.m.
Thank you for a voice of reason.
Billy
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 4:51 p.m.
"The woman had been in the process of moving to a new apartment from noon June 15 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Bush said." The real scumbags know that people who are moving are prime targets....because they've already disconnected and packaged things up. Prime suspects could be any residents of that same apartment building...but it could be just as likely as an unscrupulous individual just walking by and observing her packing stuff into her car like she was moving.
snapshot
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 10:22 p.m.
Crime of opportunity is likely
ordmad
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 4:41 p.m.
It's the Mayor's fault. His and all that money we spend on public art. The truth is that crime will always happen, that it is in fact trending down (you can argue all you like, but the sky is blue, a cloud in it doesn't change that, and the actual FACTS show the downward trend), that this is a very safe city (the actual FACTS show this too), and that folks here in the comment pool will never miss the opportunity to use a single, isolated, out of context fact to make a point that is just simply wrong.
anti-thug
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 5:26 p.m.
no its not a very safe city specially if your at the bar or club :0 I watched crime reports and were happen and downtown isnt very safe but Ann Arbor per caps. sounds preety safe considering the lower murder rates.
jns131
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 6:53 p.m.
Might want to reread the stats on why children do what they do. In consideration of the new ruling handed down by the Supreme Court on children and the life of crime. Very interesting article out of the NY Times.
CincoDeMayo
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.
I saw that too. It was interesting. But, I'm still not convinced of the causal relationship. Like with Malcom Campbell's books, I think a lot of the statistics are used "fast and easy". But, still an interesting perspective. The gist of which is that unwanted children are more likely to fall into a life of crime....
smokeblwr
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
It was Freakonomics!
smokeblwr
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 5 p.m.
I saw an interesting movie recently that statistically tied Roe v Wade to the drop in crime over the past 20 years. Can't remember the name of it....
Peregrine
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.
@bobslowson: As long as we have break-ins, the police should be reminding people to lock doors and windows. And they should be whether crime is trending up, down, or level. I fail to see the reasoning in your comment.
anti-thug
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.
in some parts of town ,break in and assults are at preety wild nubers..to tell you the truth. :(
bobslowson
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.
Wait...I thought crime was trending downward and now the police want us to lock our doors?
anti-thug
Thu, Jun 28, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.
my neighborhood has seen the largest crime increse in so many years, mostly assults .
jns131
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 2:18 a.m.
Ann Arbor Police are being downsized and this is the result of a major city that needs its police force and it is not getting it. Pretty sad state Ann Arbor has become. Folks, neighborhood watch is something to consider.
anti-thug
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 5:40 p.m.
who gave petter _-1? lol he's damn write "this aint mayberry" or pleasantville. we most lock doors! because a thelf or 2 could happen this year!
Peter Baker
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
They've always wanted us to lock our doors. This ain't Mayberry.
Goober
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 4:27 p.m.
This advice will not stop a break-in. I can attest to this that a locked door can be penetrated, gaining access. Wonder what advice the police have to not be groped? Or, to not be aggressively pan handled? Or, to not be the subject of graffiti?
widmer
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.
"But furthermore, I think you and others in these comments like to argue for the sake of arguing." I feel like I can't read the sometimes-valuable commentary on practically ANY story on AA.com without seeing the very same people starting pointless arguments that are often times totally unrelated to the story. People, you know who you are, get a less depressing hobby please :D
Jake C
Wed, Jun 27, 2012 : 3:36 a.m.
It's a simple figure of speech, goober. Let's say I'm normally an honest person. I'm walking past a door and see a fat wallet sitting there and no one around. If I were having a particularly bad day, I might be tempted to help myself to a few extra dollars if I knew no one was looking. However, a lock on that door would "keep an honest person honest". Does that help you out? Or are you just trying to be obtuse?
Goober
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.
To djacks24: You still did not explain what you mean by locks keep honest people honest.
djacks24
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
"He means open carry my man, open carry." This will work even better. @Goober. But to my point earlier, its a figure of speech. Just because you are not witnessing a total stranger acting dishonestly, you have to assume they are honest. Unless you have the ability to just know a dishonest person by looking at them. By securing things, an dishonest opportunist lacks an easy excuse to do something dishonest. If they are going to rip you off, at least make them work for it. How much effort do you think the authorities are willing to put forth catching these people and recovering your stuff, if you can't even put forth the effort to be smart about securing your belongings? But furthermore, I think you and others in these comments like to argue for the sake of arguing.
Goober
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 7:41 p.m.
Thank you CincoDeMayo for another voice of reason. If we were all honest, locks would not be needed. They are only meant to slow down or discourage a dishonest person.
CincoDeMayo
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 7:36 p.m.
Goober - I'm with you. I have always hated that saying "Locks keep honest people honest." Psssh. Honest people are honest people. They do not need locks.
Goober
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
To tdw: If locks do not keep dishonest people out (I agree with this) are you then concluding that locks keep honest people out? Please explain.
tdw
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.
Goober......I'm quite sure you are honest.But locks don't keep dishonest people out.It's quite easy to defeat a lock on the typical home
Goober
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
To smokeblwr: What do you mean by open carry?
Goober
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
I am honest and do not enter neighbors or other houses - locked or unlocked. In fact, I would not know if they were locked or not. On this basis, how do locks keep me out - an honest person?
tdw
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
Goober.....locks keep honest people out
smokeblwr
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 6:41 p.m.
He means open carry my man, open carry.
Goober
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 5:52 p.m.
To djacks24: I do not understand what you mean by keeping honest people honest. Please explain.
djacks24
Tue, Jun 26, 2012 : 5:04 p.m.
It's about keeping honest people honest so to speak. Most thieves are opportunists, and may not even feel tempted unless they come by an easy score. Sort of like a predator will go for the easier prey mostly. Just saying, you have to wonder how many thefts could have been prevented had the homes been secured, and valuables been mostly not out in the open.