SJPD reminds residents to protect their homes while away during summer
Although no recent cases have been reported, SJPD wants to remind the community that criminals are often more active during warmer weather. Something as simple as an unlocked garage can make you a target for burglary.
Oversharing on social media can also increase your risk. Authorities advise posting cautiously, especially while traveling.
If you're going to be away for a while, posting vacation pictures on Facebook can be tempting because you want to share with your friends and family," said Sgt. Jeremy Peters with the St. Joseph Police Department. "But there are people who look for that, and if they know you're not going to be at your address, business, or home for a while, they may try to take advantage of that opportunity."
Police recommend waiting until you return home to share vacation photos, asking a trusted neighbor to watch your property and installing security cameras as effective deterrents.
If neighbors notice any suspicious or unfamiliar activity in their area, they are encouraged to call 911 immediately so an officer can investigate.
The St. Joseph Police Department also offers a free residential and business watch service, which allows officers to periodically check on your property while you're away.
"The officers working on the street, day or night, are made aware of those addresses and provide extra patrol during their shifts, Peters said.
Residents can fill out the watch request form by visiting stjoepd.info/ and navigating to 'Forms and Requests'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
19 minutes ago
- Washington Post
9/11 victims' fund architect slams changes to New Hampshire abuse settlement program
CONCORD, N.H. — An attorney who helped design and implement the 9/11 victims' compensation fund says New Hampshire lawmakers have eroded the fairness of a settlement program for those who were abused at the state's youth detention center. Deborah Greenspan, who served as deputy special master of the fund created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, recently submitted an affidavit in a class-action lawsuit seeking to block changes to New Hampshire's out-of-court settlement fund for abuse victims. She's among those expected to testify Wednesday at a hearing on the state's request to dismiss the case and other matters.
Associated Press
34 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Man put to death for a 1982 killing in record 10th execution this year in Florida
STARKE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of abducting a woman from a Florida Panhandle insurance office and killing her received a lethal injection Tuesday evening in the state's record 10th execution this year. Kayle Bates, 67, was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m. following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke under a death warrant signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The execution extended Florida's record for total executions in a single year, and two more are planned in the state within the next month. Bates was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and attempted sexual battery in the June 14, 1982, killing of Janet Renee White in Bay County in the Florida Panhandle. The woman's husband, Randy White, was one of the witnesses to Tuesday's execution. At the scheduled 6 p.m. execution time, the curtain to the death chamber promptly went up. Bates was already strapped to a gurney with his left arm extended and the IV line for the drugs already in place. When asked if he wished to make a last statement, Bates replied 'no.' The execution then began at 6:01 pm. Bates began breathing more rapidly about a minute after the drugs began flowing, and then he stopped after about another minute. At 6:05 p.m., the warden touched Bates' face, shook his shoulders and shouted his name with no response. Several minutes later, he was declared dead. At a briefing following the execution, Randy White thanked DeSantis for signing the death warrant and also thanked members of law enforcement and prosecutors for working on his wife's case. ″I am truly humbled by the outpouring of love and support from so many who didn't know either one of us. I thank you from my heart. It means more than you will ever know,' he said. Since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the death penalty in 1976, the highest previous annual total of Florida executions was eight in 2014. Florida has executed more people than any other state this year, while Texas and South Carolina are tied for second place with four each. With Tuesday's execution, a total of 29 men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S., and at least nine other people were scheduled to be put to death in seven states during the remainder of 2025. According to court documents, Bates abducted his victim from the insurance office where she worked, took her into some woods behind the building, attempted to rape her, fatally stabbed her and tore a diamond ring from one of her fingers. Attorneys for Bates had filed appeals with the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as a federal lawsuit claiming DeSantis' process for signing death warrants was discriminatory. The lawsuit was recently dismissed by a judge who found problems with its statistical analysis. The Florida Supreme Court recently denied Bates' pending claims, including arguments that evidence of organic brain damage had been inadequately considered during his second penalty phase. The court ruled Bates already had three decades to raise these claims. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Bates' last appeal Tuesday. Two more executions are planned in Florida in coming weeks. David Pittman, 63, would be the 12th person executed in Florida if his death sentence is carried out as scheduled Sept. 17. He was found guilty of fatally stabbing his estranged wife's sister and parents at their Polk County home before setting it on fire in 1990.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
2 suspects arrested for hate crime attacks in San Bernardino County
Two suspects were arrested in connection with hate crime incidents targeting Black victims in San Bernardino County. The suspects were identified as Michael Razo, 22, of Highland and Humberto Silva, 24, of Colton, according to the Fontana Police Department. Officers have been working with the Fontana Sheriff's Station for several months to investigate the incidents. In each case, the pair allegedly targeted homeless victims at bus stops. They would pull up in their vehicle and shoot at the victims with a paintball gun while screaming racial slurs. In several incidents, the victims were injured, police said. On Aug. 19, both suspects were located and arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and a hate crime enhancement. Search warrants were served at their residences where evidence related to the crimes was found. 'We believe there may be additional victims and we ask you to come forward to report these incidents to us,' the police department said. Anyone who may have been a victim or has additional information is asked to call Fontana police at 909-350-7700. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
