More than five million home burglaries take place every year in this country. Nine out of ten of these crimes are preventable.

Sioux Falls Police Captain Greg VandeKamp agrees.

"Probably the most residential burglaries we have is the sheer fact that people are leaving their homes unsecured either during the day or at night when they're home sleeping. This includes locking the garage and house doors at all times. This simple measure will eliminate a lot of the opportunistic type burglaries."

VandeKamp says it's easy to forget to lock up the house and garage day and night.

"I have to be honest! I have at times thought that my teenager coming home has shut my door and later found that wasn't true. My neighbor actually called me and said my door was open. Again, it's just being vigilant all the time. Before I go to bed, I stick my head into the garage and make sure the front door is closed and back doors locked. I do the same for my patio door. Make it a routine!"

Vandekamp says Sioux Falls residents should make it a daily routine to lock their house and garage doors.

 

 

 

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