You, your newspaper and the police can work together in crime prevention

Let's reduce crime in the coming year.

With your assistance, here's how the The Acorn can help make our communities safer:

For the most part, Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village are still bedroom communities. Local residents, just like Americans everywhere, are inundated with news on TV, radio and the Internet. Those may be good sources for state, national and international news, but they aren't so hot for local information.

That's where we come in.

It's our responsibility as your community newspaper to keep you informed about crime, not only with the tips you give us, but with our comprehensive Sheriff's Blotter and with separate news stories about significant incidents or trends that we notice in the police reports.

The Lost Hills Sheriff's Department takes a proactive role in keeping us informed about the local problems so that we in turn can tell you.

Crimes against property are the biggest problem.

Vandalism is an interesting phenomenon because the crime is often senseless; nothing is ever gained. Vandals are bored, enjoy taking risks, or feel the need to meet peer pressure. Most often they are teenage males with a beer in hand, a chip on their shoulder and a penchant for physical violence.

Other crimes often committed locally are home and car burglaries. Here's a tip: Keep your garage door closed at all times and don't leave tempting articles such as computers, cameras and purses on display while you're away from your vehicle. A little common sense goes a long way.

Each week, we encourage you to read the Sheriff's Blotter— and hopefully not be in the Sheriff's Blotter.

Think of it as a triangle. At the top is you, the reader. Sharing the other two spots are law enforcement and us, The Acorn. The police tell us what's happening and we tell you. With everybody on the same page, perhaps 2009 will bring a reduction in crime.

We want our neighborhoods to be safe.