There’s a dark side to the long days of summer.

As temperatures go up, so do certain crimes.

Domestic violence increases. Schools, homes, businesses, parks and cars are more frequently targeted by vandals and burglars.

“The common ingredient in the increase in domestic violence is drunkenness,” said Thousand Oaks Detective Eric Buschow.

As it warms up, people start to drink alcohol more, he said.

“Sober, rational people don’t hit each other.”

There’s an uptick in nuisance crimes, too, such as kids skateboarding in front of businesses, Buschow said.

Police also get more calls about people trespassing on school property.

“Kids have no reason to be on school property unless they’re in summer school,” the detective said.

Youngsters under 18 have no business being out after 10 p.m., either. Many cities—Thousand Oaks is one of them—have a curfew, which means it’s actually against the law for a minor to be out after 10 p.m. unless he or she has a legitimate reason.

“Coming home from work or from a movie is a good reason, but just hanging around outside or in front of a restaurant is not acceptable,” Buschow said.

A rash of nighttime car breakins has occurred in cities throughout the area. Teens have been known to roam the streets looking for valuables in unlocked cars. Gang members from the Los Angeles area also come here for items left unsecured inside vehicles. And they’re not targeting only cars parked outside homes.

“Vehicle burglaries are happening a lot at the beaches as thousands of people go to the Malibu area,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Eric Lasko.

Home burglaries are another concern. Knowing children are home for the summer deters some daylight burglars. They knock on doors looking for a home where nobody answers, but often kids have been told to stay inside and not answer the door for strangers.

That complicates the burglar’s routine.

Knowing many homeowners are on vacation attracts other thieves, who watch for newspapers left in driveways and other telltale signs. They also see windows and doors left open as an invitation for a break-in.

“Be aware and look out for your neighbors. Lock up your house and your doggy doors,” Buschow said.

The detective told a story about one family that had been burglarized. The police interviewed neighbors to see if anyone had seen anything suspicious. One of the neighbors said, “I saw a man crawling through the doggy door.”

Don’t be that neighbor. If something looks suspicious, call the police, Buschow said.

“It’s drug addicts who are doing home burglaries and vehicle burglaries,” said Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Senior Dep. Jason Robarts.

“Summer crimes are often crimes of opportunity,” said Simi Valley Police Lt. Joe May.

People tend to leave property unsecured—windows down, garage doors open and unlocked bicycles outside stores, he said.

“People can prevent themselves from being a victim of crime if they take the necessary steps and secure their property,” May said.

Kids out of school going to parties also keep Ventura County deputies busy in the summer.

“The hotter weather means lots more party calls and neighborhood disturbances,” Robarts said.

It’s not just that the kids are out of school, but parents also go on vacation without their teenagers.

“Parents leave 16-, 17-yearolds at home by themselves for a week at a time, and even a good kid has been known to take advantage,” Robarts said.

He’s been dispatched to houses where parents are out of the country. The child, who wants to be popular, has a party. Those he invited invite others, and pretty soon there are more than 100 people at the house, destroying it and stealing jewelry and other valuables.

“We get the kids calling the police themselves because they know they need help when the party gets out of hand,” Robarts said.

If people would act responsibly, summer could be a safe, fun time of year.

“Remember, we have low crime, not no crime,” May said.