CRIME IN KENNYDALE: WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

As those of you who have been directly affected are aware, Kennydale has been experiencing an increase in a variety of crimes over the past several months.  Much of this occurred in lower Kennydale, but no area in our neighborhood has been immune from problems.  Starting during the recent Christmas season, mail theft was the crime of choice, involving the theft of packages off of front porches and  thefts from mail boxes, including the so-called locking ones.

 In mid-February, there was a rash of problems at homes along the lakeshore, including the theft of an outboard motor from a boat parked on the street, theft of tires off another boat trailer, theft of an entire boat trailer, also home invasions at three residences, including one where the occupants were severely beaten, a burglary at another home, several vehicle prowls, etc.  In another situation, a person showed up at a resident’s door offering “window washing services”.  The individual didn’t appear to have any vehicle, tools, business cards or any other evidence that he was actually a bona fide worker. Following these occurrences, several neighbors joined together to study images from several video cameras and one cell phone, and passed this valuable information on to the Renton Police Dept.

 Those of you who are regular attendees at the Kennydale Neighborhood Association’s quarterly meetings have heard Cyndie Parks, the Police Dept’s. Crime Prevention Officer, speak on how you can protect yourselves.  Here are a few of things we have learned:

1) Install lights by all exterior doors, and the motion detecting type at front and garage doors

2) Trim shrubs back from doors and windows

3) Don’t leave exterior lights on during the daytime; that suggests that you are away from home

4) Always close your garage door, and cover “view” windows so that no one can see inside

5) Always lock your doors and windows, even when you’re at home

6) Do not hide keys outside; leave them with a trusted neighbor

7) Add drop bars, wooden dowels, or pinning devices to windows and sliding glass doors

8)  Take outgoing mail directly to the post office or a blue Postal pick-up box

9) Never let strangers into your home.  If someone knocks, answer them through a closed, locked door and keep it locked until you verify that they have legitimate business with you.

10) Consider installing a residential alarm system

While on vacation:

11)  Place a radio and interior lights on timers; also, put mail and newspapers on hold

12)  Ask your trusted neighbor to pick up any packages or fliers from your driveway or porch

13)  Sign up with the Renton P.D.’s Vacation House Check Program (425-430-7571 or www.rentonwa.gov
  
For a complete list of residential burglary prevention tips, contact KNA at: dariusvicki@msn.com .  

Understand that Renton Police officers cannot provide special emphasis patrols in Kennydale full time – all the time.  As Officer Parks notes, “It falls upon those who live in a neighborhood to be vigilant and to remember: Utilizing 911 as a resource tool as opposed to an emergency-only number is incredibly important.  Reporting suspicious activity can make a very big difference when it comes to deterring criminal activity – please be a heavy handed 911 caller.  All neighborhoods go through fluxes and flows of criminal/suspicious activity; so it’s important to always be prepared”.


Finally, if you have never set up a Block Watch on your street, or if yours has become inactive, please call Cyndie Parks at 425-430-7521 to get one established or reinvigorated!