Crime's creeping around Clinton Hill

Clinton Hill! Heads up! There are several crime trends happening in your 'hood lately. Before we get to them, there's one particularly despicable crime that needs a shout out.

A robber is impersonating a cop. On Aug. 26, he ordered a man into his fake cruiser flashing a NYPD badge and a black firearm. The cop-feigning robber drove the man to a parking lot near Fulton Avenue and robbed him. It was broad daylight, 5 p.m.

Tip: The first problem here is that police officers seldom order citizens into cruisers without reason. So, the order is a red flag. If you're an innocent person, explain to the officer that you've heard about the impersonator. Ask him for his badge number BEFORE you get in the cruiser and use your cellphone to call the 88^th Precinct to check his identity.

Now, for the crime trends.

Ladies! Your wallets are getting lifted. They're getting lifted from baby carriages and shopping carts and wherever else you leave them.

Tip: Try a cross-body shoulder bag. And keep your cash and credit cards OUT of your wallet and on YOU.

Thieves are going after laptops, cameras and other electronics. They're heisting them from cars.

Tip: Why are we leaving expensive loot in cars? Might as well just stand on the street corner and give it away. If you absolutely must leave electronics in the car, hide them well.

Lastly, but just as nasty, electronics are being swiped from homes, too.

Tip: Of course, lock up, especially fire escape windows. If you need more protection on the cheap, drive large nails into the sides of wooden window frames. There are many ways to keep your place secure while you're out. We'll talk about them next time. Until then, stay safe.

Watching out for you, Clinton Hill.

Sources:

Joe Anuta, "Fake Cop scams man, The Brooklyn Paper
Jessica C. Wakeman, "The Week in Crime: A Police Impersonator and Hungry Thieves," The Local