Happy New Year! My name is Sirena Boskovich, and I am El Segundo Police Department's newest Crime Prevention Analyst. I have over 19 years of public service experience and one of the many roles that I have as a Crime Prevention Analyst is being the coordinator for our Neighborhood Watch Program.   

Over the past few months as the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, I've had the opportunity to meet some amazing Neighborhood Watch Groups in their living rooms, backyards, and front yards to discuss crime trends, crime prevention tips, and concerns members are experiencing in their neighborhood. To Empower Your Community as a Block Captain and learn more about the program, click here.   

Sirena Boskovich  I  Crime Prevention Analyst  I  310-524-2274 

THEFT FROM A VEHICLE 
It takes less than 60 seconds to break into a vehicle, grab what is in plain view, check the usual hiding places for other items, and get away. Vehicle burglary prevention, like all crime prevention, involves limiting the criminal's ability and/or opportunity to commit the crime. 

We are seeing an increase in vehicles being burglarized throughout the city and wanted to provide a few reminders to help avoid being a victim:

• Don't leave valuables in your car. That sounds like common sense, but drivers/passengers do leave items of value in plain view every day. Thieves are targeting purses, wallets, backpacks, laptops, and tools which are easily sold.
• If you must leave valuable items in your vehicle while out and about, place items out of sight before reaching your destination or move them inconspicuously. One reason SUVs and pickups are common vehicle burglary targets is because they don't have a trunk to hold valuables, the driver/passenger generally just hide their valuables "out of sight." The thieves know this and do check glove compartments, center consoles, behind seats, and under seats. 
• Keep all vehicle doors and windows closed and locked - even if you only plan to be gone for a brief time. It is not uncommon for thieves to walk down a row of parked vehicles and check vehicle door handles to see if they are unlocked.
• Don't think your dark tinted windows will hide your valuables. Thieves often use flashlights to see through tint.
• Try to park in busy, well-traveled areas and well-lighted areas.
• If your vehicle has an anti-theft or security system, use it! 
• Once home, unload your valuables immediately. Do not store valuables in your car any longer than necessary, and certainly never overnight.

If your vehicle is burglarized, please report it to the Police Department immediately.