Prepare for the best possible outcome – dog park safety/security
Let leisure time at the dog park remain stress free, knowing you have taken the necessary precautions to keep your personal property safe from theft and vandalism.
Article and photo by Amanda Merriman
Imagine taking the dog for a walk to burn off some energy at the neighborhood dog park and coming back to your car only to find a window smashed in and your valuables taken. That was the unpleasant surprise discovered by a number of people in our community at the start of the year. According to Douglas County Public Information Officer Lauren LeKander, there were three incidents of theft from cars during the first week of the year at the Surrey Ridge Dog Park/Glendale Open Space Trail, located at 12300 S. Havana Street. Also in the same week there were two additional car break-ins of a similar fashion at other locations. The suspect(s) involved in all of these events smashed car windows to access the valuables left in the car. LeKander noted that since January there have been a higher than usual number of car break-ins within Douglas County.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) website, crime in Douglas County is relatively low. This is just one of the reasons why Douglas County is such a great place to live. However, with these recent events it is a reminder that crime can and still does occur where we live. The DCSO website has some easy, practical tips to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of this type of crime. These tips include keeping your car windows rolled up, car locked, and valuables out of sight. As the DCSO website notes, even in what is considered a safe community, residents should still take precautions and remember that criminals come from all different backgrounds and circumstances.
You can learn more about basic crime prevention tips to keep you and your loved ones safe and secure by visiting www.dcsheriff.net/community/crime-prevention. 
