As the long, hot summer nights roll on, a problem has again emerged. The Mequon Police Department has, as with previous summers, been experiencing an increase in vandalism incidents. Most often, these incidents involve damage to mailboxes or parked vehicles.

To deter, detect, and catch the people responsible for these incidents, patrol officers are paying extra attention to local subdivisions. However, we are also asking for the community’s continued help. Because the community consists of far more people than the local police department, you play a crucial role in relaying information to law enforcement. If you see any suspicious vehicles or people in your neighborhood, please call your local police department immediately. Furthermore, any additional information that you can provide (such as; license plate number, vehicle color, vehicle make/model/design, direction of travel, or a physical description of the people) greatly increases our ability to locate and identify those responsible.

As always, we strive for a strong partnership between the community and law enforcement, in order to keep our neighborhoods a safe and enjoyable place to live. Thank you for continuing to be a part of the success.

While the arrival of the holidays brings many happy things, unfortunately it can also bring opportunistic thieves. There are several things to remember during the holiday season that can help reduce crime potential.

When shopping, do not leave valuable items in plain sight inside your vehicle. Instead, place recently purchased gifts and other valuables in your trunk or under a vehicle seat. Another easy measure to prevent theft is to lock your vehicle. If you find yourself at the mall, parking in a well lit or heavily traveled area will also discourage would-be thieves.

While you are away from home, keeping your blinds or curtains closed will prevent others from seeing valuable items inside your house. Additionally, leaving lights on in and around your home increases visibility and can deter crime.

After the holidays have passed, be cautious of the manner in which you dispose of your packages. Leaving packaging from valuable items at the curb for garbage pickup is a red flag. Place packaging in closed containers, disguise it by crushing it, or wait until the morning of garbage pickup to place it on the curb.

Taking simple preventative measures can go a long way to ensure that we all have a safe and crime-free holiday. As always, if you see any suspicious people, vehicles, or activity in your neighborhood, please call your local police department immediately.

From everyone at the Mequon Police Department, have a safe and happy holiday!

Not so long ago, people did not feel the need to lock their doors or windows. But times have changed, and so has the need to use locks for protection.

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, most individuals do not have the proper lock security. Only half of Americans have dead-bolt locks on all the entry doors to their homes and nearly one in five have none at all.

The National Crime Prevention Council recommends checking and updating old locks on all doors and windows and replacing them with ones that provide protection from keys being duplicated without your knowledge, such as Medeco Security Locks. In addition, it advises you to make sure your locks have a long enough bolt so that the door cannot be pried open.

Installing quality locks is the first line of defense against home burglaries since they can protect you against physical attack, Other steps can be taken to increase your security, as well. Here are some tips from the National Crime Prevention Council.

*Use your locks. Even the best locks can't protect you if you don't use them.

*Do some yard work. Trim hedges and bushes so thieves can't hide out.

*Know your neighbors. Neighbors who look out for each other are among the best, and least expensive, defense against neighborhood crime.

*Secure your spare. Leave your spare key with a trusted neighbor. Never hide it on the property. Burglars have more experience looking for keys than you do hiding them.

*Let there be light. Make sure all outside entrances - front, back and side - have good lighting so burglars can't easily hide.

*Stop mail and paper deliveries. A pile of newspapers in the driveway is a clear sign to a thief that you're away from home.

For more tips on securing your home and yourself, visit the National Crime Prevention Council Web site at www.ncpc.org. Additionally, if you are interested in a home security survey or being placed on a vacation check list, please contact your local police department.