Sheriff: Keep your property and children safe this summer

School will be out next week in Dodge County. That means many families over the next several weeks and months will be on vacation and older children will be at home while parents continue to work. Dodge County Sheriff Jeff Hinson reminds citizens that burglaries and child safety issues usually increase during the summer months.
Sheriff Hinson says that citizens should protect their property by doing several common sense things.
First, stop the delivery of your mail and newspapers to your residence if you are going to be away from home, or have a neighbor or trusted friend pick it up for you. An overflowing mailbox or newspaper box is an invitation to a thief that no one is home.
Second, have someone tend to your yard and pets while you are gone.
Third, have a neighbor or trusted friend check your property daily.
Fourth, notify the sheriff’s office and/or the police department that you will be out of town so that law enforcement might periodically check on your property while making patrols in the area.
You should provide law enforcement with a phone number where you can be reached and a local contact person who can come see about your property.