Detective Eric Buschow of Thousand Oaks explains on page 11 that new burglars are operating in Conejo Valley.

Buschow describes them as drug-addicted young people in their late teens or early 20s. They usually start the path to dependency, he said, with pills–powerful morphine-based pain killers.

As the addiction progresses, the abuser starts stealing from family and friends to support his habit.

After the family and friends get wise about the larceny and who’s doing it, the addict then begins burglarizing homes, often in broad daylight. First he knocks on doors to determine if anyone is home. If there’s no answer, the perpetrator gets bold. He looks for an unlocked door or window, or, if necessary, he breaks into the home. With trees and shrubbery or no visibility from neighbors across the street, he may even use the front of the house.

Buschow warns that anyone soliciting door to door should have identification. If they don’t, red flags should go up. Residents are encouraged to call police if any salesperson, young or old, lacks identification or says he was looking for a lost pet. If in doubt, call the police department with a description of the suspect(s).

Here are other suggestions:

•Make sure all doors and windows are locked.

•Dog doors should be secured, too, if an adult or small person can get through them or if a door knob is reachable.

•If you have an alarm system, always set it before leaving home.

•Engrave electronics with a driver’s license number, never a Social Security number. Keep serial numbers of them, too, so you can report them if they’re stolen.

•Jewelry and cash should either be kept in a huge, heavy safe that’s bolted to the concrete slab or be hidden somewhere other than the master bedroom. Keep photographs of unique or expensive jewelry.

Everyone can help in the fight against crime.