Sheriff David Beth addresses Paris residents Monday at Town Hall. The meeting was regarding what some residents saw as an alarming increase in burglaries of late in the town.
Sheriff David Beth assured Paris residents at Town Hall Monday evening that they do not have a level of crime to be concerned about, but also offered several tips those concerned about burglaries could use.
The meeting with Beth was arranged by residents concerned about what they see as an increase in home break-ins in recent months. One family has had three break-ins recently. About 75 people attended and Beth complimented the turnout.
“I’m truly impressed with all the people that showed up,” Beth said.
Beth said he pulled reports of all burglaries and thefts in the town for the last year and came up with 15 incidents. He acknowledged that when such a crime happens to you it’s a big deal, but that overall Paris was still one of the lowest crime communities in Kenosha County.
“Should you fear that someone will break into your house and shoot you?” Beth said. “I don’t think so. … Would I lose sleep over it? I would not.”
Here are some of the tips and insights Beth shared with the audience:
- Gun owners may want to consider a gun safe. Beth said guns are a frequent target for burglars, but a safe makes them very difficult to steal. And other important items also can be stored with the guns.
- Burglars generally do not want to confront people or harm them, Beth said. Typically they do not even have a weapon. If confronted, most will run. But if people are not comfortable with confronting an intruder, they should call 911, he said. Any kind of obstacles, such as a locked door, can be a deterrent to a burglar.
- Some security measures, like a gun safe or video or alarm systems, can be somewhat expensive. But Beth pointed out that fake measures can work well too, such as alarm company signs or a sign saying the house is under video surveillance.
- Dogs — even if they are not vicious — are a “huge deterrent” to burglars, Beth said.
- Most burglars working in this area are from Milwaukee or Illinois.
- Some members of the audience contended the actual number of thefts and burglaries is higher than is being reported to the Sheriff’s Department. Beth encouraged people to report thefts to the Sheriff’s Department and gather as much information they can about suspicious vehicles — like license plate numbers.
