Residents urged to help with burglaries
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 2 months AGO
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | November 17, 2011 8:15 PM
COEUR d'ALENE - Police are encouraging residents to form block watch groups to help combat a wave of daytime burglaries in the area.
The Coeur d'Alene Police Department is working with area agencies to investigate a series of burglaries that have occurred in the city and county. They believe suspects are knocking on doors and when no one answers, they break in.
"These burglaries have a similar pattern of taking place in the daytime hours with suspects brazenly kicking open doors to residences," according to a press release.
Meanwhile, another resident reported they believe their home was burglarized on Veterans Day.
According to a police report, a homeowner on the 2800 block of Loire Drive told police that an Xbox system, games and controller valued at $850 are missing from her son's bedroom.
She believes the theft occurred between 8:30-11 a.m. Friday because no one was home at that time.
Another resident told police that on Nov. 9 he was home alone about 2 p.m. at the 1000 block of west Fallview Drive when two suspects, a male and a female, knocked and rang the doorbell multiple times. When the resident didn't answer the door, the male suspect pulled some keys out of his pocket, and tried to open the front door.
"The victim heard this, and locked the deadbolt to the door," the release said. "The male suspect looked through the half-moon shaped window on top of the front door and saw the victim. Both suspects then fled the scene."
Anyone that comes into contact with persons claiming to be selling firewood, stating they are lost or any similar scenario is asked to get a description of the suspects, and their vehicle if possible and contact their local law enforcement agency.
Residents are encouraged to keep their deadbolts locked while away from home.
Police also encourage existing block watch groups to have a meeting and discuss crime prevention measures. If your neighborhood does not have an existing blockwatch group and would like to start one, contact the police department at 769-2320.
ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY
Eva's faith washes away doubts
After learning what she had, this girl did not faint with fear. Instead, she wanted to get a ninja obstacle course built in her town of Meridian. The reason she wanted this was because she said, “it really spreads the message that you can overcome obstacles.”
Coeur d'Alene councilor says progress being made on housing
But City Councilor says there is still much work to do
Miller gave a presentation on housing issues before about 25 people at a gathering of Kootenai Strong, a new non-partisan community group.
Fernan Lake plan gains support
If funding of a few million is found, improvements could soon follow
Fernan Lake has experienced poor water quality for decades. It flushes well from winter to spring, but little flow occurs in the summer. That leads to an increase in nitrogen and phosphorus in the lake, which causes algae blooms comprised of toxic cyanobacteria.