Close the Door on Burglary and Theft

According to Tampa Police, there’s been a recent spike in home and vehicle burglaries in District One, which includes all of South Tampa. Many of these incidents have result in theft.

District One Police believe that unlocked garage doors and vehicles have contributed to these crimes. As a result, police have compiled a list of tips to aid residents in securing their homes and vehicles.

• Keep your garage door closed when it’s not in use. If in use, never leave the garage unattended.

• Try to keep any door leading from the garage to the house locked. If you have a house alarm, set it to alert you if the garage door is opened.

• Even if you park in the garage, lock your car doors. If you park in the driveway, secure the vehicle and remove or hide the garage door opener. If it is the opener in the glove box, and lock it.

• Secure all valuables – bicycles, yard tools, golf clubs – kept in the garage. Try to keep them out of site whenever the garage door is open. Keep the items covered or concealed.

• If someone next door or down the street has left their garage door open, let them know.  Often they have forgotten to close the door.

• Be aware of any suspicious persons, vehicles, or activity in the neighborhood. Immediately report the activity to Tampa Police’s non-emergency dispatch at 813-231-6130.

• For emergencies, or when seeing a crime in progress, call 911.

The District One Patrol Division serves Tampa's peninsula, west side, and Davis Islands areas. District One officers patrol 42 square miles and serve 127,110 Tampa residents. Some of the points of interest in District One are: Tampa International Airport, Raymond James Stadium, Courtney Campbell Causeway, and Bayshore Boulevard.