Can you continue to declare to be one of many nation’s most secure cities if thieves are burglarizing your residents’ properties every day?
That’s the dilemma Irvine finds itself in recently, having endured a spate of break-ins in February and March. The Irvine Police Division posted a “housebreaking consciousness discover” Saturday on Fb, disclosing that 34 residential burglaries had been dedicated over the earlier 35 days — a revelation that appeared to dent the town’s picture as a haven towards crime.
On Tuesday the police division went into damage-control mode, issuing a web-based assertion that tried to reassure residents that the Orange County hub “stays one of many most secure cities within the nation.”
Irvine, with a inhabitants of 300,000, named itself the nation’s “most secure metropolis” for its dimension for an 18th consecutive yr this October. The police and metropolis got here to that dedication utilizing FBI statistics on violent crime — homicide, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, theft, and aggravated assault — and evaluating the outcomes to these in different cities with comparable populations.
“Sustaining the protection of our metropolis is on the heart of every part we do,” Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent stated in Tuesday’s assertion. “We’re dedicated to utilizing proactive policing methods, whereas leveraging expertise and public communication to establish and arrest felony offenders.”
Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan and Vice Mayor Larry Agran didn’t reply for a request to remark.
Police spokesperson Sgt. Karie Davies confirmed that the timeline for the crimes was from Feb. 9 to March 14.
Irvine Police stated seven burglaries seem to have been undertaken by skilled crews. Three different thefts had been categorised as “distinctive circumstance” for the reason that perpetrator had accredited entry into the residence as a visitor or service supplier.
There have been additionally extra storage burglaries, 18, than break-ins into residing areas.
Irvine Police stated in its Saturday submit that there have been two developments among the many burglaries. Thieves had been vigilant about monitoring and sometimes knocked down or disabled dwelling safety cameras.
The opposite frequent side was that a number of burglars climbed onto second tales and entered weak houses by home windows or doorways.
“Please name us should you see suspicious individuals in your neighborhood or strolling in open areas behind houses,” the message learn.
Davies confirmed that the burglaries occurred citywide versus particular areas, and the occasions of the day diversified. Not one of the burglars had been armed, Davies stated, and there have been no accidents.
Regardless of the crime wave, the police division stated Saturday’s revelation “doesn’t change” the town’s standing as a secure place.
“The unique submit was meant to be an consciousness for our group,” Davies stated.
Irvine Police famous that residential burglaries are down over 15% in comparison with final yr at this level.
Police stated their deterrence efforts embrace drones, a directed enforcement crew that targets particular crimes, and surveillance from the division’s felony investigations division.
“We additionally work intently with the Orange County District Lawyer’s Workplace to make sure profitable prosecution,” Kent stated.
Irvine Police provided some security ideas that embrace sustaining a safety system with cameras, putting in safety movie on all glass doorways and home windows, locking all doorways and home windows, various mild timers to make it appear a house is occupied and utilizing a sliding window lock.
Different steps embrace neighborhood communication and vigilance, making a listing of valuables and securing them, and registering bikes.
