Blanchard receives burglary prevention tips

The Bonner County Sheriff's Office is scheduled to offer tips on how to prevent burglaries and handle the aftermath of those crimes during a presentation Thursday at the Blanchard Community Center.

A sheriff's office representative will be speaking at what's being called a "crime stoppers" meeting, at 7 p.m. at 685 Rusho Lane. It was scheduled following a number of burglaries in Blanchard and surrounding communities such as Spirit Lake and Vay, said Chris Bishop, vice president of Blanchard Area Seniors.

The sheriff's official will be there to answer questions and listen to concerns, said Bishop. Information will be provided on how to protect private residences, places of business, and neighborhoods.

"Discussion also will include ways to proceed if you are a victim," Bishop said.

Sheriff's office Sgt. John Valdez said there have been 35 reported burglaries so far this year in Bonner County. There have been 12 in the southern part of the county, which includes Blanchard.

With 104 burglaries for all of 2009 in the county, those crimes are occurring more frequently this year, he said.

"I think there's a rise," Valdez said.

The sheriff's office has caught several burglars, he said.

"We think it's people coming from out of the area looking for some easy daytime targets," Valdez said.

Many of the burglaries are happening during the day, he said.

"They are looking for areas that are secluded, and the bulk of the population in this county is outside the cities," Valdez said. "They are looking for people who are going to work."

Burglars often knock on the doors of a home, and if no one answers they then break in. If a resident does answer, the burglars will make up some bogus reason for why they are there.

"We try to keep an eye on that as best we can," Valdez said.