Police in Bonney Lake are advising residents to make sure their homes are locked and secured when they head off to work following an increase in daytime burglaries around the city.

“We have noticed a little bit of an increase,” said Det. Bob Kocher. “Unfortunately, these things are going to happen from time to time.”

According to Bonney lake Crime Analyst Laura Miller, there has been only a slight increase in burglaries so far this year, but police fielded reports of 11 burglaries in August, up from six at the same time last year.

Miller said the numbers for September are not yet available, but the city did see an increase through last month as well.

Miller said most of the burglaries in the city occur during the day, when residents leave their homes to go to work. Kocher agreed, adding that while many people have the view that burglaries happen under the cover of night, it is “not uncommon” for a home to be burglarized during normal business hours.

Police are reminding residents to secure their residences when they leave, including any windows. They are also advising homeowners to make their homes “unattractive to burglars” by adding alarm stickers, cutting bushes lower than windows and turning on outside lights during hours of darkness.

Miller also said it is important for neighbors to report any suspicious vehicles or persons they see in the neighborhood.

According to Miller, often when officers are taking police reports, neighbors will come forward and talk about seeing something suspicious at the residence, but not wanting to bother police.

Miller said a call about a suspicious vehicle can mean the difference between catching a burglar in the act and having to follow their trail after the fact.

“We always say the community are our eyes and ears,” she said.