Sgt. Pam Heidzig of the Omaha Police Department's north investigations unit said residents can help prevent and solve break-ins. Her suggestions:
Lock all of your doors, even when you are home or outside raking leaves or shoveling snow.
Lock the door to an attached garage and keep the garage door down.
Bolt down window air conditioning units so they can't be removed from the outside.
Check outdoor motion lights to be sure they work.
Photograph valuable items such as jewelry and firearms.
Keep a list of serial numbers for electronics, bicycles and other valuable items in a safe and accessible location.
Store bicycles inside.
Call 911 if you see someone suspicious in your neighborhood.
Be a good witness if you provide information to police. Note a suspect's clothing, facial hair, whether the person is carrying anything, and what the person is driving — make, model and color — and its license plate number.
Be a good neighbor. Exchange information with your neighbors and keep an eye out for each other.
Get involved with your neighborhood association.
Lock your vehicle, and don't keep valuables inside the vehicle.
Provide information about possible crimes to Crime Stoppers by calling 444-7867 (STOP), online at www.omaha-crimestoppers.net, or by texting OPD and the tip to CRIMES (274637). You may remain anonymous.
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