Santa Maria Police say they have seen a spike in the number of reported petty thefts and burglaries over the past couple of months. Officials say, while they have seen a 26 percent increase in burglaries, thefts and other safety concerns between July and August of this year, crime is actually down when compared to this time last year. They remind residents to keep valuables out of sight in your car, consider installing security cameras around your home and remember to lock your doors.
