It appears that a rash of commerical burglaries is now moving through North Portland. This comes in the wake of a series of buglaries in Kenton reported last month.

Business Owners and Employees:

There has been a recent spree of commercial burglaries in the inner Northeast Portland area and yesterday on 11/23,  in the Overlook area.  These burglaries share many similarities and may be connected.  The majority of the victims are restaurants and they are reporting that the burglars are physically removing safes along with cutting phone lines to the business prior to gaining access to disable security systems. 

Please review the following prevention tips to reduce or minimize your business from becoming a victim.

-Ensure your building is property locked and secured each night.  Replace any damaged doors or windows and upgrade locks if they are not operating property.

-Ensure staff is property trained on your existing alarm system and your contact information is current with your alarm company.  Discuss options with your alarm company to address the loss of your landline if it is cut.  Ensure staff is able to retrieve any video surveillance footage for police reports and response.

-Leave your interior lights on at night to deter criminal activity and increase the visibility of the interior of your business at night. Minimize any poorly lit exterior areas as well.

-Remove or minimize as much as is particle all cash in your safe nightly and ensure your safe is bolted or secured in location.  Safes have been physically removed from some of the recent businesses that were burglarized.

-Encourage staff and surrounding neighbors to call and report any suspicious activity.  Call the non-emergency number at 503-823-3333, or 911 if it is a crime in progress or a life threatening situation.

Please review the following security review self-assessment brochure for additional crime prevention ideas and tips:
http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=30031&a=268882

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns and please remind all staff to be extra vigilant and aware – thank you!

Mark Wells
Crime Prevention Coordinator
503-823-4098
mark.wells@ci.portland.or.us