People Are Still Robbing Our Asses While We're at Work

Holy crap, you guys! Hold on to your MacBooks! Keep those iPads safe! There are burglars in Park Slope! This is serious! I'm not joking! I am seriously freaking out (I challenged myself to see how many exclamation points I could fit into an opening paragraph. I think I did all right)!

Let's talk about it. While crime in the Slope is overall down this year, Park Slope Patch reports that so far there have been 14 more burglaries this year than this time last year. And the 78th Precinct is taking notice. Captain Michael Ameri says, "we do still have a significant burglary problem." And what's more, these perps aren't after the usual home robbery loot (jewelry and gold); they're heading straight for the iPads and MacBooks. 

Captain Ameri(ca) believes that it's typically men in their late teens and early 20s who are committing these crimes, and instructs anyone who sees dudes in that age range hanging out on fire escapes to call 9-1-1 (sorry Tony, Maria will have to climb down to you.) Ameri also cautions anyone living in one of the following three regions to remain on high alert: Dean and Pacific near Flatbush, Eight Avenue near 13th Street, and Fifth Avenue near Third and Fourth Streets. 

Don't let this happen to you! Keep your shit safe by following these suggestions from Captain Ameri(ca) and me!

• Lock and secure all windows and doors. 
• Install and USE secondary locks. 
• Keep your electronics out of plain view - visible through an open window is probably not the best place for storage. 
• Install safety gates on fire escapes or ground floor windows (but only the ones approved by the FDNY). 
• Copy down the serial numbers from your expensive electronics and keep those in a safe place. 
• Use one of those annoying laptop locks that kids use in dorm rooms. 
• Remain vigilant. Even if you don't live on one of those blocks, you're still at risk. It could happen to you!

The 78th Precinct is offering free Crime Prevention surveys for neighborhood homes and apartments. Contact Crime Prevention Police Officer Vivian Santiago at 718-636-6433 to schedule a home walk-through appointment. 

In similar news, things are looking up for other types of crimes in Park Slope! Robberies are down 19%, felony assaults are down 10% and grand theft larceny auto is down 60%.