La Crosse, Wisconsin (WXOW) - The La Crosse Police Department has seen an increase in apartment and house burglaries in the neighborhoods between the University of La Crosse and Western Technical College campus.
Police say the suspects are breaking in during the late afternoon and early evening hours and taking TV's and other electronics.
Officers are reminding everyone to keep their doors locked and report any suspicious activity.
Police say most home burglars are young amateurs looking for an easy target.
General Safety guidelines should be:
- Make your home look occupied and make it difficult to break in.
- Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it's for a short time, lock your doors.
- Leave lights, radio or TV on when you go out. Use a timer if you will be gone for a length of time.
- Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
- Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
- Have adequate outside lighting with motion sensitive lights.
- Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call the police.
Anyone with information regarding an incident can contact the La Crosse Police Department at 608-785-5962. Callers can also remain anonymous by calling the La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers at 784-8477 or text laxtips at Crimes (274-637)' or online at www.lacrossecrimestoppers.com. Callers to Crime Stoppers can be eligible for rewards of up to $1,000.
