The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office has responded to eleven residential burglaries where entry was made through kicked in front doors during daytime hours. The majority of these burglaries occurred east and west of Bear Lake Road with the exception of one occurring near Sand Lake Road. No clear suspect or vehicle description is available at this time. Burglars may be knocking on doors or ringing doorbells to determine if a residence is unoccupied. Remember, burglars do not want to be seen, heard or apprehended so they will choose residences that appear to be unoccupied at the time. 

Residents are reminded to take the following steps in order to reduce the chances of being targeted and assist us in the apprehension of these burglars;  

1. Activate alarms when not at home.

2. Teach your children who are home alone that if someone knocks on the door to call out in a loud voice for their mom or dad to answer the door, which will give the appearance that an adult is home. If the person is still loitering around the home, then the child should call 911.

3. Be alert for and report any suspicious persons and vehicles at all times by calling 911, particularly if and when your neighbor’s alarm system sounds.

4. Call the Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit to learn how to secure and log valuables within your home as well as to schedule a free security assessment of your home.

5. If you are going away on vacation, have a Deputy check on your house while you’re away by signing up for House Watch. To sign up for House Watch call the Sheriff’s Office SNP South Region at (407) 665-1700.  

6. Remember, organized and alert citizens, such as Neighborhood Watch members, who report what they see and hear to the Sheriff’s Office will be the key in apprehending these criminals. For more information on starting a Neighborhood Watch in your area, call the Crime Prevention Unit. 

In the area of home security, there are many security systems available to the home user such as camera systems that would allow you to view all cameras around your house remotely from the web. For more security and crime prevention information contact Margaret Levins, Coordinator of the Crime Prevention Unit at (407) 665-6748.