Burglaries increase as weather heats up

Since March of this year, there has been a higher than normal number of reported burglaries to homes in the York and Sehome neighborhoods. Click here for map of York locations. Since March, there have been 13 reported residential burglaries. In these cases, it appears that thieves are targeting laptop computers and other electronic devices. One of the disturbing trends common in these burglaries is that in all but one case, there were no signs of forced entry. It appears that the burglars are gaining access through unlocked windows and doors. You might be surprised to learn that on average between 40-60% of residential burglaries are the results of an unlocked door or window.

Here are a few crime prevention tips to keep in mind at all times.

1. Always keep your doors and windows locked, even if you are home but especially when you are away. If you need to open a window for ventilation, consider using a stick to block the window from being opened completely.
2. If you have roommates, make sure they are keeping doors and windows locked as well.
3. Keep a record of personal belongings. If you are a victim of a burglary, having this information available to the officer can become crucial in solving the crime and getting your property back to you. The list should include;
1. Make
2. Model
3. Serial number
4. Consider buying renters insurance.  In most cases, it is very affordable and will minimize your loss.
5. Get to know your neighbors.
6. Report suspicious persons in your neighborhood by calling 911.
7. Start a Block Watch Program. The Bellingham Police Block Watch Program Coordinator is Officer Katrin Dearborn @ (360) 778-8660.

Pharmaceutical Take-Back Program reaches 1500-pound milestone

Every day is Prescription Drug Take-Back Day in Bellingham. For the past year, six local pharmacies have accepted unwanted and expired medication for secure and legal disposal, reaching the 1500-pound milestone in April 2011, one year after starting the collection. Help reach the one-ton mark by bringing labeled medications to any of the following locations during pharmacy hours:

·   Costco Pharmacy, 4299 Meridian

·   Custom Rx Shoppe, 1313 E Maple St.

·   Hoagland Pharmacy, 2330 Yew St.

·   Haggen, 2814 Meridian

·   Haggen, 2900 Woburn (Barkley Village)

·   Fairhaven Market, 1401 12th St.

Prescription narcotics and controlled substances are collected at the Bellingham Police Department, 505 Grand Avenue, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Saturday, April 30, 2011, is the second National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and supported by local law enforcement. This one-day event takes place locally at four drop-off sites from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Medications will be placed into a box by law enforcement and incinerated at an approved location. 

DEA Drop-off locations, April 30, 2011:

·   Bellingham DEA & WA State Patrol, 3860 Airport Way, Bellingham

·   Lummi Nation Police Department,  2616 Kwina Rd., Bellingham

·   Ferndale Police Department,  Cost Cutter Foods (front of store), 1750 LaBounty Drive, Ferndale

·   Ferndale Police Department,  Haggen Food & Pharmacy (front of store), 1815 Main St., Ferndale

Why take back your meds?

·   Unused medicines are a danger to our children, families and the environment

·   Washington State has one of the highest teen prescription drug abuse rates in the nation

·   Medicine poisoning of children and seniors is skyrocketing

·   Medicines flushed or put in the trash can end up in our surface waters, groundwater and drinking water--exposing our families and hurting our environment

For more information about the City of Bellingham program, visit the program web page.

Media Contact:
Mindy Collins, Local Source Control Specialist
Public Works Department
(360) 778-7962
mcollins@cob.org

2nd annual Fun with the Fuzz 5K set

 Last year, several officers from the Bellingham Police Department in partnership with Behind the Badge Foundation, organized an event called Fun with the Fuzz 5K. This event is a running or walking flat course race through the streets of Bellingham. Last year, over 650 participants joined the fun and raised over $14,000 dollars. This year, event planners are hoping to have at least 1000 participants. All proceeds from the $20.00 registration fee (which includes event T-shirt) will be donated to the Behind the Badge Foundation.The second annual Fun with the Fuzz 5K, brought to you by North Coast Credit Union, SSC and Care Medical Group will be held on Saturday, April 23rd at the Bellingham Police Department located at 505 Grand Avenue. The race begins at 9:00 a.m.

Behind the Badge Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides financial and other support services to the families of fallen Law Enforcement Officers in Washington State. In addition, the organization maintains a Law Enforcement Memorial in Olympia Washington. On average, Washington State loses two Officers in the line of duty per year. Without the support of Behind the Badge, the families of fallen officers would bear the financial burden of funeral services. Police funerals cannot be paid for with public funds. 

For a complete list of sponsors along with information and entry forms, please visit http://www.funwiththefuzz5k.com/http://www.funwiththefuzz5k.com/, local Bellingham Starbucks and Runningshoes.com.  All entry forms can be mailed to PO Box 31664 Bellingham, WA. 98228 or turned in at Runningshoes.com located at 1431 N. State St. Bellingham.

After the race there will be drawing for many great prizes that neighborhood businesses generously donated to this great cause. Some of those great prizes include: 

·   Nights at the Silver Reef Hotel and Casino

·   Massages from Back in Motion

·   A Porsche to drive for a week from Roger Jobs Porsche, Audi and Jeep

For more information about this event, please contact Bellingham Police Officer and race director Kyle Nelson at email funwiththefuzz5k@gmail.com.