It is unfortunate that so many car prowls take place in our city and frequently the police can do nothing unless someone catches a prowler in the act but there are things we can do to reduce the risk.

First, if you haven't already done so, join your local Block Watch to get to know your neighbors and find out who belongs and who doesn't. If you don't have one, call Neil Hansen, our Community Crime Prevention Coordinator for neighborhoods West of I-5 at the Seattle Police Department to form one. His phone number is 684-4689 and you can e-mail him at neil.hansen@seattle.gov.

Second, work off some of those dinner calories by taking a minimum 30 minute walk each evening around your block and neighboring blocks. Perhaps, you could even make arrangements with your neighbors to stagger your walks so your block has coverage most evenings and nights.

Third, report any street lights that are out at http://www.cityofseattle.net/light/streetlight/ or by calling 684-7056. You will need the pole number (usually a serious of vertical numbers on the pole), the street address and what is wrong with the light.

Fourth, get in the habit of always locking your car, turning the wheels, and not keeping anything of value in it.

Fifth, regardless of what floor you live on or how secure your apartment building is, always lock your doors and windows (even in the winter) or secure them with some kind of lock if you leave them partially open but not big enough for a child to slip through in the summer.

Sixth, engrave anything of value with your driver's license number.

Keith Gormezano

Phinney Ridge