Common sense can reduce crime

Lost Hills Sheriff's Station in L.A. County urges residents to take extra precaution to reduce home and vehicle burglaries.

Deputies call these types of offenses crimes of opportunity, especially the vehicle break-ins.

They often result when people leave personal property, such as laptops, purses, cellphones, wallets and briefcases, on a seat or in an open console.

Such items can easily be seen from outside the vehicle and are tempting to would-be burglars.

Residents can help deter thefts by keeping their valuables out of sight.

Home and garage burglaries occur when residents fail to secure their homes, forgetting something as simple as closing the front door or the garage door.

For more information about crime prevention, call East Valley Station at (805) 494-8200.