Going back a week, here is a summary of the Southeast Cobb Police Precinct 3 PENS (Police Email Notification System) bulletin, which updates citizens on crime trends and related information.

Located at 1901 Cumberland Parkway, Precinct 3 serves the Cumberland/Galleria, Vinings and Smyrna areas, but not in the city limits. Captain Dale E. Bolenbaugh and police say auto break-ins are a continuing concern. 

Citizens have reported change, credit cards, wallets, CD players, GPS, speakers and tools, among other items, stolen from their vehicles. Culprits are looking for anything they can sell or pawn.

Criminals begin by checking door handles in search of unlocked vehicles. The next step is to break windows or punch locks. Most of the crimes are opportunity crimes where valuables are left in the vehicles and doors are not locked.

Forced entry will usually be made when victims leave valuables in plain view and lock their doors. The valuables that are visible serve as an open invitation to break a window or pull a lock.

In the last week, there have been unlawful auto entry reports throughout the area including at Cumberland Mall, Cumberland Pkwy., Akers Mill Rd., Tamarron Parkway, and Chelton Court to list a few.

Theft or burglary reports came from Gober Av., Old Atlantic Station Ct., Windy Hill Rd., Tibarron Pkwy., Winchester Pkwy., Cobb Parkway and Bakers Farm Rd., among others.

Cobb Police urge motorists to be vigilant about locking car doors, whether at home or elsewhere, and remove valuables that may be visible to thieves. Citizens should observe the following:

• Park in a well-lighted place.
• Lock all doors.
• Roll up windows.
• Remove valuables from vehicle.
• Lock valuables in the trunk.
• Call police if suspicious people are seen walking near vehicles, looking in windows and trying to open doors.

Citizens should record serial numbers, the make and model of electronic equipment so police can match property to victims and victims to property.

When at home, keep the following in mind to reduce the chance of becoming burglarized: 

• Be aware that semi-professional and amateur burglars may be lurking in your neighborhood. 

• Residential burglars are often male teenagers who live nearby. If the risk of detection is too high, the average burglar will not attempt to enter your home.

• A semi-professional burglar may scout a neighborhood for up to a week, while the amateur burglar will spend only a few hours 'casing' a residence. After determining his target, the average burglar spends just a few minutes burglarizing it.

• Whether leaving home for five minutes or five weeks, it's vulnerable whenever it's unoccupied. Devise a home security program that works around the clock.

Police remind citizens that the most important thing you can do is call the police to report a crime or any suspicious activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood, and remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes.

The direct number to Precinct 3 is 770-499-4183 and off course in case of an emergency dial 9-1-1.

And if you haven’t already, consider signing up for Nixle Alerts from Cobb County Government at www.Nixle.com. Cobb County is committed to using this system judiciously so that residents pay attention when they receive an alert.

- Wendy Parker contributed to this story.