City of Sheboygan sees zero burglaries in November, first time in decades
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Monday, Dec. 12, the Sheboygan Police Department celebrated a public safety milestone for the month of November.
Sheboygan went an entire month without a single reported burglary in November.
This is the first time for at least several decades that the city has not experienced any burglaries in a calendar month.
"In November was the first month, in at least as far back as we can look, that we had no burglaries reported in the city of Sheboygan," said Kurt Zempel, Captain of the Sheboygan Police Department's Patrol Division.
Zempel credits the Sheboygan Police Department’s work with residents and business owners on prevention efforts as bringing about such a dramatic decline.
“Up until about a decade ago, Sheboygan residents and businesses were reporting more than 200 burglaries every year,” said Zempel.
Burglaries are defined by Wisconsin law as someone entering a home or business without permission and with the intent to steal or commit another felony.
“Looking at historical reports as far back as the 1970s, burglaries fluctuated between about 200 a year to as many as 500. In some months, as many as 50 burglaries were reported – nearly two a day.
Since a recent peak in 2007 of 430 burglaries, however, there has been a steady downward trend,” he said. "Through November this year, the city has seen just 64 reported burglaries."
Zempel said crimes come down when simple safety prevention habits come into play, such as locking doors, securing any valuables, and or by adding lighting, cameras or security systems to one's home. These measures can make it both harder for thieves to break in and more likely that they’ll be caught.
These are practices that the police department has been stressing for years, partnering with neighborhood associations, business groups and others in the community to help reinforce their effectiveness.
While there is cause for celebration, there is still work to be done said Zempel.
The city has experienced 29 thefts of vehicles so far this year, and in almost every case the keys were left in the vehicle.