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Columbus Make FBI's List for Most 2011 Burglaries

Updated: Thursday, January 31 2013, 10:39 PM EST
COLUMBUS -- Ohio's capital city has received a very unwelcome honor -- Columbus has made the FBI’s list of the Top 10 U.S. cities with the most burglaries.

15,169 burglaries were reported in Columbus in 2011, the last year for which statistics were available.

Columbus police told ABC 6/FOX 28 prescription drugs and heroin use seem to be a leading cause in the burglary spike, with more online crimes via smart phones and computers also likely be contributing to the rise.  

Police advise Columbus residents to help prevent burglars from targeting their houses by utilizing simple, inexpensive safeguards.

“Bad guys and bad girls don’t like lights,” said Detective Robert Strausbaugh, with the Columbus Police Burglary Unit. “Have good security lights on your house. Keep a front and back porch light on. It costs just pennies a day.”

Strausbaugh recommends keeping bushes and trees short so they don’t cover windows, and to prevent burglars from hiding behind them.

Residents are also advised to take pictures of valuables, and write down serial numbers of TVs, and other expensive electronics, and mark them with ultraviolet pens.

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Reporter: Terri Sullivan
Web Producer: Ken HinesColumbus Make FBI's List for Most 2011 Burglaries