Police try to curb thefts

The Fort Scott Police Department is seeking help from the public as it looks to curb the number of burglaries and thefts occurring in the area.

FSPD Lt. Shaun West said there is a continuing problem with burglaries and thefts, and he is urging community members to protect their property to prevent these types of incidents. The department would like to help solve the problem rather than respond to numerous reports of burglary and theft, he said.

"Throughout the year, we've experienced random burglary and thefts in business and residential areas," West said, adding there are simple steps people can take to make sure property at their business or residence is secure.

West said incidents this year have ranged from theft of large amounts of property and larger expensive items to thefts of smaller, invaluable and "obtainable" items left in vehicles.

There have been a couple of occurrences involving theft of a large number of items such as furniture and equipment from a storage facility, and police are investigating larger property that has been removed from different locations, he said.

The FSPD is reminding businesses and homeowners of the need to "self-check" their properties for security -- replace non-functioning locks, latches, windows, lighting and security devices.

According to a statement from the FSPD, business owners should walk the interior and exterior of their buildings and check the following prior to closing: doors, windows, outdoor merchandise, vehicles left in the area, lighting, video systems and alarm systems.

Homeowners should also walk the interior and exterior of their properties, prior to dusk to check doors, windows, unsecured property, including outbuildings and vehicles, and lighting.

West said there is "no aggressive step a property owner can take," but there are ways to make it more difficult for potential thieves, who are looking for "things that can be taken easily that are unsecured."

"Don't leave property out where it's visible and close to roadways," he said. "We're trying to get people to make those things harder to steal. A thief is looking for the easiest way. They're going to steal from someone; we're trying to make sure it's not you or I."

In recent months, burglaries and thefts have been occurring randomly throughout the city and county, West said.

"It's a consistent problem," he said. "We're not trying to curtail a certain type of theft. We're trying to bring down the numbers as a whole."

For 2011 to date, police have responded to 172 burglary calls and 393 theft calls, down from 2010 when police responded to 214 burglaries and 473 thefts. While the numbers are lower than last year's figures, police want to bring them down even more, West said.

West said police are not dealing with a rash of burglaries and thefts, rather, it is an "ongoing problem."

"If we're not attentive to our property, someone else will be," he said.

The FSPD also offers security surveys. By appointment, an officer will come to a resident's home or store and assist them in locating security concerns.

To make an appointment, contact West or FSPD Lt. Travis Shelton at (620) 223-1700, Monday through Friday.

"They can call before an incident occurs," West said.