By Brad Harvey - email
Posted by Dave Dykema - email
TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - Police say several groups may be responsible for a spike in violence in north Toledo.
Much of that violence has centered in the area around Mulberry Street.
It's happened twice within a week, with tragic consequences. An elderly woman is dead, two other seniors injured after their homes were broken into.
But one of the most important things you can do to better your odds, is one of the easiest, according to retired Sgt. Richard Murphy, News 11 Crime Expert.
"Lights, inside and out. And I mean the front porch and the back porch."
Not only do you want the bad guys to think you're always home, but that you're always awake and alert.
Murphy has more tips, including leaving the "radio and TV on. It just costs pennies, but you know what? It lets the scumbag know that somebody is in the house and they're awake at this time."
It may not completely fool them, but it should plant enough doubt in their minds that they won't pick on you. And for those times when you are awake, make sure you're really keeping your eyes open.
"If you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or stretch your legs, look out your window. If you see a person around your home or your neighbor's home call 911 immediately. This scumbag has to be caught now!"
That kind of diligence can be effective. Just the other day alert neighbors saw three young men breaking into a house, called 911, and the men were caught.
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