Latest News on our streets & in the nearby area

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With car thefts on the rise across the U.S., police are urging vehicle owners to take extra precautions. Criminals are increasingly using technology that can trick cars into unlocking and starting, often targeting certain Hyundai and Kia models.

Governor Kathy Hochul explained, "They're getting very clever and able to scan your fob and get the information necessary - literally from your house. You keep your keys near the door and they're able to scan this and use that to steal your vehicle while you're sleeping."

"They are able to steal the information if your car is too close to the key fob if you have it stored in your house. Or the other thing they're able to do is almost like a hijacking of the code while you're unlocking or locking the vehicle,"  David Kirst with AAA said.

Town of Tonawanda Police recently issued a warning on social media about a method known as a digital signal relay. Here’s how it works: one thief positions a device near a home to capture or amplify the signal from a key fob kept inside, while an accomplice stands near the parked car with a receiver.

In Orchard Park, police say cloned key fob thefts aren’t something they’re seeing right now — but other “crimes of opportunity” are.

“What we are seeing is the theft using key fobs, but it’s because the key fobs are being left in the cars,” Orchard Park Police Chief Patrick Fitzgerald explained. “Keys are being left in the cars, cars are unsecured, and somebody walks up in the middle of the night, they open the door that’s unlocked, they get in, they press the start button.”

Triple A has also tracked that trend.

“That has been the number one cause of thefts that we have been made aware of — someone leaving their car unlocked with their keys in it,” David Kirst with AAA Western and Central New York, Insurance Sales and Operations Manager.

Town of Tonawanda Police, along with AAA, recommend these steps to avoid becoming a victim:

Never leave your keys in a vehicle.

Avoid storing key fobs near doors or driveways.

Research signal-blocking Faraday bags or boxes as an added precaution.

For higher-risk vehicles, consider visible deterrents like steering wheel locks, wheel boots, or disconnect switches.

Police also stress being mindful of where you store your key fob at home. If your fob can still lock or unlock your car from inside, it’s too close.

“Have that key fob in some sort of a pouch or a bag or a box that blocks that signal from being disseminated,” Chief Fitzgerald advised.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Police Department is asking residents to remain alert following a string of recent burglaries in the area.

According to police, there have been multiple home burglaries in the B (Downtown) and D (Hertel Avenue)Districts that they believe are connected incidents.

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AMHERST, NY — Videos circulating on social media are shedding light on a troubling trend in Amherst — attempted car break-ins are happening in broad daylight. In Facebook groups across the region, residents have posted surveillance footage of individuals trying, and sometimes succeeding, to steal cars from driveways in quiet neighborhoods.

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CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Cheektowaga man is urging neighbors to be extra cautious and lock their garage doors tightly after an alleged thief stole hundreds of dollars worth of lawn equipment from his family’s garage.

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If you would like to install a security camera on the outside of your house, there are several available on the market that are very easy to do yourself.

The one pictured is the basic RING battery powered model available online at Ring.com, Home Depot, Lowes and other stores.

You will need to have Wi-Fi in your house. Because our houses are brick, you will need to install it close to a window so the signal can reach the camera. Wi-Fi will not penetrate brick. 

The only tool your will need is a masonry drill bit and mortar anchors (you can get these at Hector’s Hardware on Harlem Road or any hardware store). Everything else is included in the camera package.

You can also purchase a lawn sign to let everyone know you have video surveillance of your home. Great deterrent against crime!

As part of the setup, you will download an app to your smartphone to view the video and sign up for the recording feature on the secure Ring server. It saves the video and audio.  Cost for the one camera recording feature is $3 to $5 per month.

Your house is now protected, and you can, if you give permission, share any recorded photo evidence with the Cheektowaga Police Department.

One more way we are the eyes and ears of our town’s community policing program.