Home security footage showing thefts from porches and break-ins has become common on social media, but data from the Modesto Police Department indicates that major property crime in Modesto has decreased. The department reports a 4% decline in 2024 and a 16% drop in 2023.
The holiday season and recent price increases may cause concern for homeowners about protecting their property. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, prices for all items excluding food and energy have risen by 2.9% over the past year.
Charlene Aragon, a civilian supervisor with the Modesto Police Department, said, “The main things that we talk to people about are securing the property. A lot of burglaries are crimes of opportunity. They check for open doors, open windows and things left unlocked.”
Police recommend checking all entrances to a home, including side yards, garage doors, windows on all levels, and cars parked outside. Aragon also advised improving lighting around homes: “It’s not just the front porch light that should be on; add lights over the driveway, on the side of the house, or the back of the house if it is really dark,” she said. “We also recommend that when landscaping the front yard, the bushes are not taller than 3 feet and that the trees’ (limbs) are trimmed up to 7 feet off the ground, so that you’re not concealing windows or doors where people can’t see if there’s somebody doing something there that they shouldn’t.”
Motion-sensor lighting kits, alarms, and cameras are available for added security. Cameras can help monitor deliveries or provide surveillance while residents are away.
For those unable to hide deliveries from view, Aragon suggests sending packages to workplaces or using services like Amazon Locker. She also recommends real-time delivery notifications for those working from home.
Discarded boxes can indicate new purchases to potential thieves; breaking down boxes before disposal is advised.
When traveling during holidays, Aragon recommends knowing neighbors who can watch for suspicious activity and putting holds on mail or having someone collect it.
The Modesto Police Department offers vacation house checks through its Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program for absences lasting five to thirty days. Residents interested in this service should apply at least one week before leaving town. Other nearby police departments offer similar programs.
Pets may alert owners to visitors but can also be at risk during break-ins; ID tags or tracking devices are suggested as precautions.
Neighborhood Watch programs are encouraged as an effective way to increase community safety and awareness. Suspicious activity such as people looking into homes or cars should be reported rather than confronted directly.
The Crime Prevention Unit assists neighborhoods with setting up watch programs and provides free home security checks with tips on improving safety measures. More information is available at www.modestogov.com/230/Crime-Prevention-Unit.
