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Daytime Break-ins Concern Local Residents PDF Print E-mail
Written by Kathy Voytko   
Thursday, 02 February 2012 01:37
Enon Police Chief Troy Callahan and his officers are finding that criminals in the area are getting more bold.  On January 5, the home of Tom Penrose was broken into sometime during the mid-morning hours, while the family was at work.  His wife came home in the early evening to find that someone had broken into the locked home through a rear window.  Items taken included electronics, computers, and personal items. According to Penrose, the individuals helped themselves to the sheet from the bed to carry their belongings away.  
Chief Callahan explained that the Village had 13 vehicles and one garage break-in from November 2 – 14.  Items taken were pocket change, electronics and other items that were left in plain sight.  Most of the equipment would be items that are not “factory installed” according to Callahan.  This accounts for the 15 – 16 thefts in the Village said Callahan.
According to Penrose, he has also heard of other daytime thefts that have occurred in the township.  Callahan confirmed that a break-in occurred in the township at the corner of Marion and New Horizon this month.  The chief believes that the incidents are related and possibly being done by juveniles or young adults.  
Mr. Penrose would like to see an effort to make citizens more aware of the problem before it escalates any further.  He suggested a website where citizens could self-report incidents and see where the problems are, in hopes of raising awareness, so that neighbors and passersby might call authorities and prevent the thefts.  
Callahan repeated the same message that area citizens have heard before. "Lock your vehicles, and do not leave anything in plain sight.”   Pocket change, chargers, MP 3 players, GPS systems, and other devices are an easy target and can be sold for quick cash.  You should lock the doors on your car or truck even if they are parked in your  driveway.  Never leave the keys in the car and don’t leave your purse or wallet in the car when you run into the store.  
The Village of Enon has a permit for all door-to-door solicitation, with the exception of school children, religious groups, and local scouts.  If you see someone or have someone come to the door and they don’t have a permit, give the police a call.
Other tips from the police chief regarding your home include never leaving the doors unlocked.  You should not “advertise” your schedule.  Have a discussion with your kids if you are headed out of town or spending the day away regarding posting on the internet. Facebook and other social media sites are an invitation for unscrupulous individuals to stop by and help themselves to your possessions.  Remember, friends of friends may not be the ones whom you intended to share your plans with, but it is happening increasingly in homes across the nation.  
In the summer juveniles spray painted cars, signs and buildings, including Enon Elementary.  According to Callahan, the information provided by alert members of the community led to the conviction of several juveniles who are now paying restitution to the individuals and organizations who were their victims.  The money is being paid to the court at about $25 per month until all the damages are paid.  
Because the lines of the community are blurred, residents may not know if they live in the township and should call the Clark County Sheriff, or if they live in Enon and should call their police department.  When you see something that just isn’t right, don’t let where you live stop you from making the call.  Neighbors and citizens being alert to who is walking in the neighborhood, what time they are out and about can make the difference in stopping the individuals responsible for the thefts.  It is a good idea also to take note of cars not familiar to you.  We all have a good idea of which cars belong on our street and which ones seem out of place.
If you see someone or something that just doesn’t feel right, call 911 or the non-emergency number 328-2560.  The dispatcher will send the appropriate law enforcement officer to the location.  Sheriff Kelly always says, “it is the call that is not made that is most regrettable."  Chief Callahan agrees with this idea.  Enon and Mad River Township neighborhoods do not have a “formal” neighborhood watch, but that doesn’t mean neighbors watching out for neighbors should not be the norm in our community.
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