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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, February 13, 2013 · 4 Police ask residents to help catch suspects Continued from page 1 In one incident on Coronation Drive, where a resident returned home to find a burglary in progress, the two suspects dropped much of the property they were taking and fled. "This is really what is going to happen when you encounter culprits in your home when you return. They want nothing to do with you. They don't want to be captured, they don't want to be identified and, certainly, they don't want police to be alerted in a timely fashion so we can get there," said Odoardi. "What they are going to do is flee and what we ask you to do is let them flee. We don't want you to confront them." Odoardi said the break-ins appear to be the work of two separate groups. While he described the investigation as being in its infancy, Odoardi said police hope to have some good news for residents in the coming weeks. Halton Police Supt. Carol Crowe said patrols of uniformed and plainclothes officers have been stepped up in Joshua Creek area. So far, Crowe said, police have spent about 780 hours trying to find those responsible for the thefts; however she noted residents also have a role to play in catching the culprits. After a woman mentioned she had seen a suspicious white van driving in her area twice, Crowe said, "You need to call us, folks. You live in the neighbourhood, you know if something DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog to catch some thieves: Ward 6 Town Councillor Max Khan, speaking, and Ward 6 Councillor Tom Adams hosted Town of Oakville and Halton Regional Police officials at a meeting attended by hundreds of residents concerned about a recent series of break-ins. doesn't belong. "We can't do this alone. We need you to engage with us. We need you to be our eyes and ears." Const. Carla Draper, a community support officer, said residents could better protect themselves by looking at their homes through the eyes of a criminal and eliminating features that may draw a thief's interest. This could include getting rid of bushes or landscaping that blocks the view of a window or door from the street or neighbouring windows. Draper noted while such landscaping may provide privacy, it can also mean no one will notice a burglar breaking in. Other tips called on residents to use common sense to prevent break-ins. Draper said a Halton police officer patrolling the Joshua Creek Area came across a garage door that was wide open. When the officer investigated, he found a door to the house, located inside the garage, was unlocked creating a perfect opportunity for a break-in. Draper said many people do not lock their cars, which can be a problem if a garage door opener is left inside a car and an even greater problem if the door to the house inside the garage is unlocked. Other advice included adding motion lighting or hostile vegetation (thorny bushes) to a property. Investing in a deadbolt is one way residents could prevent thieves from kicking in a front door. Getting to know neighbours and who belongs in the neighbourhood was another suggestion. "A safe community is everyone's responsibility. It is not just ours. A police service cannot be everything to everyone. We cannot be everywhere," said Deputy Chief and Oakville resident Andrew Fletcher. "We live in a very safe community here in Halton, but we are not without crime... I want you to get engaged and to work with us because that is what is going to make a difference. That is where we can truly prevent crimes." Anyone with information about the breakins taking place in the Joshua Creek Area is asked to contact the Oakville Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2215 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Anyone who believes they see a crime in progress is asked to call 911. For information about crime prevention, visit www.haltonpolice.ca and click on Community Policing. Valentine * Special Up to $40 off iPad 4th generation iP CLOSING SALE HUGE SAVINGS up to EVERYTHING MUST GO! 80 % off Hard to find iPad mini? All models now in stock! * Sale ends Saturday, February 16, 2013. While quantities last. FINAL 4 DAYS! MANNING JEWELLERY 249 Lakeshore East or call us at 905.849.0737 www.Core 1 .ca SERVING OAKVILLE FOR 34 YEARS! Downtown Oakville 125 CROSS AVENUE,OAKVILLE 905.844.2668