Meeting showcase methods to keep homes, cars safe

Published 9:00 am Saturday, October 20, 2007

KINGSTON — Residents gathered at the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue headquarters Monday evening were given a unique opportunity to pick the brains of five of Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office’s finest in an attempt to better protect their houses, cars, valuables and, most importantly, themselves and their families.

Roughly 50 people arrived at a meeting facilitated by Kingston resident and former King County reserve police officer Reed Anderson. Following two break-ins on Taree Drive and several other thefts and car prowls reported in Kingston, he said he felt it was important residents had the chance to talk with deputies and detectives to learn how to better protect their homes.

“I like to get people together every three years to discuss issues and things that have happened lately,” Anderson said. “In Taree, it’s tough… I just want people to be aware of what’s going on. I don’t want it to get out of hand. This is a chance for them to network.”

The meeting began with a brief statement from Sheriff Steve Boyer, and introductions and a brief statement of what each of the five representatives does at KCSO. Detective Ron Trogdon provided maps of the Kingston area with dots representing various crimes that took place from September 2006 to this fall.

The total number of incidents was tallied at 1,466.

But of those, only a handful were burglaries.

“We see a lot of you making calls about suspicious persons in your neighborhood,” he said. “That’s good, keeping your eyes open. Thirteen burglaries for a year in Kingston. That’s not too bad, it’s not acceptable, but it’s not bad.”

Trogdon and KSCO Community Resource Officer Pete Ball spent time reviewing different ways residents living in Kingston, or anywhere, can protect themselves, their families and their neighbors.

First, they said residents should make their homes as difficult to gain entry to as possible. Burglars tend to look for the easiest targets, and shy away from homes with strong locks and alarm systems. Though a household alarm may not suit everyone, Ball said, just as a large, barking dog won’t, either, it may help some people feel more comfortable.

“(Alarms) are a good deterrent, but not