Many years of enjoying a low crime rate has led Douglas County residents to live with a level of complacency that can make us an “easy target” for criminals.  On occasion, we’ll see a spurt of vehicle break-ins or other property crimes throughout Douglas County, including CPN.

Most of the incidents could easily have been avoided.  They should serve as reminders to stay vigilant in guarding our property, thus keeping thieves away.  Thieves may visit Douglas County on occasion, but let’s make sure that that CPN isn’t on their list.

What can you do?

Don’t be a victim!

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office makes the following recommendations:

Lock Your Car.  Lock Your Garage.

In almost all of the vehicle break-ins, the vehicles targeted had been left unlocked, or were locked but parked outside or in an open garage, with valuables easily visible. 

• Never leave your keys in the vehicle.
  
  
• Keep your car parked inside the garage if possible.
  
  
• If you must leave your car parked in front of your home or in your driveway, always lock it.
  
  
• Always lock your car and take your valuables with you. Do not leave valuables such as wallets, briefcases, cell phones, laptops, cameras, golf clubs, etc., in your car at any time. And don’t leave the garage door opener in a car parked outside.
  
  
• Do not leave garage doors open, even during the daylight hours.
  
  
• Have your neighbors left a garage door open? Call them!  
  
  
• A special note for the winter months: do not start your car and leave it running in your driveway to warm up.  Never warm up your car inside the garage with the door closed – you could cause dangerous carbon monoxide to enter your home.

Guard your Purses and Wallets

This summer, purse and wallet thieves took advantage of shoppers throughout the metro area, and a few of the incidents occurred in the shopping areas near Castle Pines North. Tips from the Sheriff’s office include:

• Stay alert while shopping.  Thieves prey on shoppers who are distracted while browsing the cards and magazines, or reading labels.
  
  
• Never leave your purse or bag unattended. Keep it on a shoulder, zipped up. Try wearing a fanny pack instead of carrying a handbag.
  
  
• Also, do not leave your purse in the car while loading groceries or when returning the cart.
  

Don’t leave your mail sitting in the mailbox.

You hear the news reports about “identity theft.” One of the thieves’ tactics is to take credit cards or other financial information from your mailbox.  Always bring your mail inside as soon as possible after it is delivered.

Help keep CPN safe:

What else can you do? 

• Report any suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office. Call 303-660-7500 – or call 911 for urgent situations.
  
  
• If your neighborhood does not already have a neighborhood watch program, get one started by calling the Sheriff’s Community Relations office at 303-660-7544. 
  
  
• To work more closely with the Sheriff’s Office on neighborhood safety issues, join the Master Association’s Safety Committee by contacting Janet Conner at 303-482-3078 or e-mailing
  safety@cpnhoa.org.
  

By following all these precautions, Castle Pines North residents can frustrate would-be thieves and help keep them out of our neighborhood.