The Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) posted a notice on Facebook, NextDoor and the city website about burglary statistics on Mercer Island, assuring residents that there hasn’t been an increase in the average number of burglaries in recent years.

In 2014, Mercer Island had 73 total burglaries, and there were seven in January. Washington State has the highest property crime rate in the nation. Mercer Island experiences a very low violent crime rate, but has a proportionately equal number of burglaries compared to neighboring cities – 71 per year for the past 10 years.

“For many residents it does seem like we as a city are experiencing a rash of burglaries and that perception is driven in part due to the increased awareness and communication that social media avenues such as Facebook and Nextdoor.com provide,” according to the notice sent by MIPD Commander Leslie Burns and Ross Freeman, city communications and sustainability manager.

MIPD has a Criminal Investigation Section that works with neighboring agencies on identifying crime trends, locating suspects and making arrests. It follows up on evidence from fingerprints to pawn databases and Craigslist and Ebay postings.

The best line of defense is residents looking out for their neighbors. There are an average of 3.4 MIPD officers on duty at one time, which makes it difficult to cover all areas of the Island. Many burglary arrests are a result of neighbors calling 911 as soon as they see something suspicious.

Some residents have asked about the effectiveness of surveillance cameras and license plate readers at the entrances and exits to Mercer Island, but it’s a complex issue due to concerns about privacy, expense and effectiveness.

The current trend in recent burglaries is for suspects to knock on the door or ring the doorbell of a residence. If there is no answer, they go to the back of the home and smash a sliding door or window. Neighborhood Watch programs are important for catching suspects in the act.

Islanders interested in hosting a Neighborhood Watch meeting are encouraged to contact Jennifer Franklin at jennifer.franklin@mercergov.org or 206-275-7905.

Residents are also encouraged to check out “Paws on Patrol,” National Night Out and the Crime Prevention page on the city website, www.mercergov.org/CrimePrevention.

For residents looking for effective ways to harden their homes and help deter crime, please review the following tips:

• Host or join a Neighborhood Watch Program
• Install motion lights on all sides of your home
• Notify neighbors when you will be away from your home for more than a day
• Stop newspapers from piling up in the driveway when you are away from home
• Install a locked mailbox or have neighbors collect your mail when you are away
• Install and activate a monitored alarm system
• Keep shrubs low around your home so they cannot be used a screen for burglars
• Lock your doors and windows
• Keep your garage doors closed
• Park vehicles in the garage
• Leave a television or radio on in your home when you are away
• Post an alarm sign in your front yard
• Become friendly with your neighbors and call 9-1-1 at the first indication of someone or something suspicious
• Be a good partner to the police and call right away, not after the suspicious person(s) have left the property