Murder, aggravated assault and forcible sex offenses are up in Denver in the first two months of 2018 as compared to the statistics from 2017. Intimidation, considered a crime against persons, is up too.
Kidnapping/abduction, non-forcible sex offenses, simple assault are tips from down in 2018. Child pornography and prostitution are down while drug/narcotics violations and weapon law violations are up.
Arson, counterfeiting/forgery, criminal mischief/damaged property, embezzlement, extortion, and fraud are down while theft from motor vehicle, motor vehicle theft, robbery and stolen property are up.
Notably, burglary is down 10.4% in 2018 from 2017.
The most burglaries in any given neighborhood in Denver occurred in Stapleton with 68 total.
Denver had 1111 burglaries reported so far this year, an average of 312.7 per month/10.3 per day.
Neighborhoofscout.com ranged the following neighborhoods as the safest in Denver:
- Smith Rd/Havana St
- W Kenyon Ave/S Sheridan Blvd
- 48th Ave/Picadilly Rd
- Holly Hills
- E 56th Ave/Tower Rd
- W Quincy Ave/S Wadsworth Blvd
- E Yale Ave/S Colorado Blvd
- E 64th Ave/Tower Rd
- W Quincy Ave/S Sheridan Blvd
- Sanddown.
9 News asked 86 burglars how they broke into homes in 2017 and here’s what the criminals had to say:
- They broke in through unlocked doors or windows. Burglars said they’d kick in a door vs. break glass to control noise that attracts attention.
- Once inside, they look for jewelry, electronics, cash and credit cards as well as guns and collectibles.
- They start in the master bedroom and move through the rest of the house.
- They prefer to break in between 12:30 and 2:30 pm when the home is less likely to be occupied.
- Burglars said security signs weren’t a deterrent and that they know how to disable alarms.
- Large dogs dissuaded some burglars.
- Burglars knock on the front door before breaking in. If a person answered the door the burglar would act as if they had gone to the wrong house.
- Most burglars said they leave immediately when a security alarm sounds.
- Some burglars said homes with security cameras indicated there were valuables inside. Other burglars reported they steer clear of cameras.
- Lights on, TV or stereo on and a car in the driveway indicate residents are home and burglars move it down the line to another home.
Besides alarms and cameras, homeowners need to avoid leaving an extra key to the door in the obvious places: over the front door or under the doormat, says Gustavo Esquinca, owner of Alexius Security Lock + Key.
Test your door locks. Make sure they are sturdy. Call Alexius to replace door handle sets and deadbolts.
Lock your windows in the basement and first floor of your home.
Do not store ladders in the back yard next to the house. Burglars can easily raise them to gain access to an open second story window.
Trim shrubbery around entrances and walkways so that burglars can’t hide while breaking in.
Install motion-sensor lights on the exterior of your home.
Lock your garage.
Lock your gates.
Lock your car and do not leave valuables in the car.
Alexius Security Lock + Key can install home alarm systems, rekey your home when you first move in or after you’ve terminated a household worker, install deadbolts in addition to handle sets. Call us today to ensure your family is protected.
