7/18/2012 - West Side Leader
     

Burglaries on the rise, police warn

NORTHWEST AKRON — Due to an increase in burglaries in the Northwest Akron area, the Akron Police Department is suggesting that residents take a few precautions to reduce criminal activity:

• Install a suitable alarm that will sound if the door is tampered with or if glass is broken.

• Activate the alarm and secure all windows and doors every time you leave — even if your trip will only take five minutes.

• While you’re doing yard work, secure all entrances to the house.

• Don’t leave valuables visible in the car (garage door opener, GPS device, electronic chargers, spare change, etc.).

• Remove hidden keys outside of the home. Give a spare house key to a trusted friend or relative.

• Never leave an outgoing answering machine message that states you’re out of town — this includes social media.

• Secure your garbage and recycling totes. Sometimes thieves use garbage cans to transport stolen goods to another location.

• Watch for people carrying property, especially if they’re running — even during daylight hours.

• Watch for people going door-to-door in neighborhoods, sometimes with a “look out” person or vehicle canvassing behind them.

• Be mindful of what you see and remember. If you see something, call the police at 330-375-2552 right away so an officer can be dispatched.

• Get active — start a neighborhood block watch group.

• For more information on how to deter, delay, deny or detect burglars, visit publicsafety.ci.akron.oh.us/police/crime_prevention/home_security.html.

Barberton court creates Community Service Program

BARBERTON – Barberton Municipal Court officials have created a new Community Service Program for offenders.

Judges David Fish and Christine Croce said the program is an alternative sentencing option that will allow offenders to complete public service work instead of serving jail time.

“This sanction helps the community as well as holds offenders accountable for their criminal behavior,” Fish said.

Offenders are now able to complete court-ordered community service hours at a variety of local government agencies and nonprofit work sites throughout the Barberton Municipal Court District, which serves the communities of Barberton, Copley, Norton, Clinton, Coventry, Green and New Franklin.

Community service hours can be fulfilled by helping at soup kitchens, completing gardening or other outdoor work, or doing office work. Court officials said the opportunities create a unique way for offenders to work off court-ordered jail time while giving back to the community.  

“The local court system benefits because it’s a viable alternative to incarceration; defendants benefit because it allows them to fulfill legal commitments while giving back to the community; and local nonprofit organizations and government agencies benefit from the hours that service participants provide,” Croce said.

The judges added that offenders who fail to comply with a community service order will be brought back to court for a probation violation hearing, at which time the original jail sentence could be imposed.

Government agencies and nonprofits interested in participating in the Barberton Municipal Court Community Service Program should contact Community Service Director Suzy Schaffer at 330-861-7219.

— Kathleen Folkerth and Ariel Hakim contributed to these reports.

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