JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Responding to a string of break-ins and thefts at residential units at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, the 502nd Security Forces Squadron is increasing patrols and instituting measures to prevent further break-ins and thefts from occurring.
During a four-month span, from February to May, four break-ins were reported among the seven housing locations at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, according to Lt. Steven Dews, 502nd SFS police supervisor.
Dews said the break-ins occurred in the personal sheds attached to garages, which are unattached to the residential homes. Items that were stolen during the break-ins include a toolbox set and two bicycles.
The number of residential unit break-ins and thefts at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston this year has already surpassed the total number of residential thefts and break-ins reported at the base in 2017, which was two.
To help prevent further break-ins and thefts, Dews said 502nd SFS will be ramping up its foot patrols in targeted areas. Those patrols will identify unsecure areas and items at residential units that will be marked with a sticker.
He said security forces members will bring up the areas and items they found unsecure to the attention of residents and Lincoln Housing staff members.
Dews said there are measures residents can take to prevent break-ins and thefts at housing units.
“One, as soon as they get home or at the end of their workday, ensure that all of their items that are left unsecured are secured,” he said. “Two, if they have items that are of value, take pictures of them for inventory, to include serial numbers and descriptions of those items. Keep that for your records in case something does happen.”
Any photos of items and serial numbers will be of great help to investigators in case the items are stolen or go missing, Dews said.
In addition, Dews said residents should notify their neighbors if they are going out of town to keep a watch over their home. If residents see or notice anything suspicious, contact 502nd SFS at 210-221-2244 or 210-221-2583 (CLUE).
In addition, 24 bicycles have been stolen at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston since Jan. 1. To make it possible for housing residents to register their bicycles, Dews said he will be going door-to-door to each housing area every weekend with registration forms and stickers. He also plans to visit every dormitory to give service members and students the opportunity to register their bicycles with security forces.
For information on registering bicycles at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, contact Dews at 210-221-2570.