The right call

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: May 30, 2008

Grove Park isn’t the only Danville neighborhood that has, from time to time, been hit by burglars.

But last year, neighborhood residents banded together and fought back by forming a neighborhood watch. It was an example to all Danvillians worried about crime — and criminals — coming into their homes.

That’s why the daytime burglaries of two Grove Park houses Monday was so surprising.

Burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Criminals look for houses and businesses they think are easy to get into, hold the most valuable loot and present the lowest risk of getting caught.

Burglar alarms can help, to a certain extent. So can a good watchdog. But the best deterrent is the criminal wondering if someone is watching them and will report what they see to the police department.

People used to call that kind of vigilance being a good neighbor. Today when the police organize it, they call it a neighborhood watch. But no matter what they call it, it’s a great idea because it gives the police valuable information that leads to arrests and convictions.

“You have to use your eyes and your cell phones,” Danville Police Lt. Mike Mondul said last summer about reporting information to the police.

Last year, there were 552 burglaries in Danville, the highest one-year total over the past 27 years, and possibly, the worst year for residential burglaries ever.

One of the best ways to fight burglaries is to convince more people to make the right call. Reporting suspicious activity is one way to take a proverbial bite out of crime.

Last year, in response to burglaries in their neighborhood, Grove Park residents fought back by forming a neighborhood watch. They set the standard for other neighborhoods worried about crime.

An active neighborhood watch is one of the best ways to help police prevent and solve residential burglaries. With luck and some good information, Monday’s burglaries won’t soon be repeated.