Full Notification

The Public Safety Office sent out a Nixle last month in reference to two areas in the City that had been hit with larcenies from or entering of unlocked vehicles. On November 14 and November 16 we saw other instances, again all involving unlocked vehicles in a couple of locations in Muskegon. We would like to stress again that entering of unlocked vehicles is a 100% preventable crime which victimizes 100’s of our citizens each year in Muskegon.

This is also an under reported crime as we from time to time will hear from citizens well after the fact, who say they did not report it because only change, pop cans or other items of minor value were taken. It is important that these crimes get reported for investigative purposes. Even if the theft out of one person’s vehicle may have been minor, that same thief may move on to steal something from someone else’s vehicle that is more major in value. If you are the victim of such a crime, please report it.

On November 14 two unlocked cars were entered in the evening in the 1500 block of Division with minor items taken. On November 16 there were items taken from two unlocked cars in the 1900 block of Roberts and from one unlocked vehicle in the 1400 block of Marcoux. In these cases the items taken included an mp3 player, and iphone as well as in one of the cases a purse and an amount of cash.

If you have any information regarding any possible suspects in these cases please contact the Muskegon Police Department or call silent observer at (231) 72-Crime.


The Public Safety Office would like to take this opportunity to again remind residents that in the majority of cases, criminals are looking for easy targets that provide them with the least likelihood of being caught. Below are a few tips to help reduce your risk of being the victim of a larceny or burglary.

VEHICLES

• We recommend that you do not leave valuables in plain sight and always lock your vehicle even if you will just be away from it for a short time.

• Park in well-lit areas whenever possible. If the area at your home or business where your car is parked is not lit, consider installing a light or even a motion detector light. Criminals like easy targets where they can commit their crime in a speedy fashion and leave without being seen.

• We occasionally hear people say they would rather leave their car doors unlocked so their windows do not get smashed out. While something like that does occasionally happen it is not the norm to see windows smashed unless there are valuables in plain sight or if the vehicle is parked in an unlocked garage or so far away from any dwelling where the perpetrator can break out the window without being seen or heard.

• That would bring us to the next suggestion of making sure your garage doors are closed and locked. If a thief can enter into an unlocked garage and then operate while not being seen or heard then they may very well break out a window.



YARDS

• We would encourage residents not to leave valuable items such as bicycles, sports equipment, toys, lawn maintenance equipment etc., in their yards unattended. You may only leave to go to the store for a few minutes, but with things being unsecured, that is enough time for a thief to quickly get on your bike and ride off or take other unsecured items.



HOUSES

• As with vehicles we recommend keeping your doors and windows locked.

• If there are any trees or shrubs that obscure the view of the entrance doors or any lower level windows, trim those such that would be intruders do not have a place to be out of view.


• Keep the area lit and consider installing a motion activated light. Remember, criminals generally do not want to be caught so do not make it easy for them to find concealment.



SHOPPING

In just a couple of months we will be in the season of shopping and gift giving.

• Remember, while shopping to put your purchases in your trunk whenever possible so they are not visible and again keep your car doors locked.

• When disposing of packaging from items such as televisions, game consoles, etc. break those containers down and place them in your trash bin. We don’t want to advertise to would be thieves what new items we have available in our homes.

• Maintain physical control of purses and any other valuable personal items while out shopping. Do not leave valuable personal items in your shopping cart.

If you witness any suspicious activity, please call 911 at the time you see it occurring. If you have any information regarding any possible suspects of thefts in the City of Muskegon please contact the Muskegon Police Department or call silent observer at (231) 72-Crime.