With residential burglaries in Bellevue up 8 percent last year compared to 2011, Bellevue police are reminding residents of steps they can take to keep from becoming a victim.

At the top of the list is starting a block watch program that helps people get to know and watch out for their  neighbors and communicate with them about suspicious behavior. Police note that with the use of email and social networking, communicating with neighbors is neither difficult nor time-consuming.

Bellevue’s Neighborhood Outreach team has joined forces with the police to offer a new crime prevention tool, Neighborhood ACTS (assessment, community, tips and services). The program is designed to help residents learn not only how to prevent property crimes, but also about a whole range of city services that strengthen neighborhoods.

The program includes the following components:

• Assessment of property crimes in neighborhood and identify commonalities;

• Community audit (a walking tour of the neighborhood with police officers, neighborhood liaisons and neighborhood association leadership to identify vulnerabilities);

• Tips for crime deterrence; and

• Services to support neighborhood action to deter property crime.

This service will be provided once or twice a month, and scheduled in the order requested.

Those with questions about preventing crime, including Neighborhood ACTS or starting a block watch, can contact Det. Richard Chinn at 425-452-6915 or rchinn@bellevuewa.gov.

To prevent burglaries, police advise taking the following steps:

• Record the serial numbers of electronics, especially the newer models. If items are stolen, the serial number increases the chances of getting belongings back because the information is put in a statewide and/or national database. If someone pawns the item, the police will get a match on the database, which could lead us to a suspect.

• If people have an alarm, they use it – and post alarm signs in the front and back of their house.

• Take pictures of jewelry, and do not store it in your master bedroom. Consider a safe deposit box and/or be creative where it is stored at home.

• Cut back shrubbery around windows and doors.

• Lock doors and windows. With warm weather coming, even a second-story open window can be used as an entrance for a burglar, police say. People should safely store garbage bins. A recycle bin can be used as a step ladder that can reach the low part of a roof.

• When someone knocks at the door, people should answer to show that someone is home, but they do not need to open the door.