This is the time of year for an increase in residential burglaries. King County had 938 burglaries in the 4th quarter of 2011 versus 586 in the 3rd quarter. Mercer Island had total of 59 in all of 2011, but in 2012 had already had 48 through the end of June. The Mercer Island Police put out a nice crime prevention booklet: http://www.mercergov.org/files/Crime%20Prevention.pdf
I wanted to add something to this. Those with expensive jewelry or other valuables may really want to consider a professionally installed wall or floor safe. Jewelry coverage is very limited under your regular homeowner’s insurance policy and scheduling these items can get expensive. A wall safe is one of the best ways to keep your valuables and sentimental items safe from a standard residential burglary. You should always consider if a valuable item should really be kept in your home in the first place. Valuables that are not used should be kept in a bank safety deposit box. This also makes adding them to your insurance policy (scheduling) cost much less. Jewelry items which are worn regularly should be scheduled on your homeowner’s insurance. This covers them for mysterious disappearance and stones which are lost when fall out of setting. Gold and metal prices have been at a high and gold buyers are advertised everywhere. Take non-insurance precautions first and then call your insurance agent!
Sources: www.mercergov.org and http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/sheriff/CrimeReports/CrimeStats.aspx
