THE ALARM DIDN’T SOUND.

Angie Berry took steps toward preventing crime. Her home alarm was set on the day she was out. The system would sound and alert police if an intruder entered her home.

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned at Berry’s Lakewood home.

The Victim: Angie Berry

The Crime: Burglary

Date: Saturday, Dec. 10

Time: Between 4 p.m. (Dec. 10) and 2 p.m. (Dec. 11)

Location: 7000 block of Meadowlake

On Dec. 10, a package was on her front porch. Her family was away that night, and she speculates a burglar saw the package as a sign that no one was home. Sometime that evening or night, the burglar broke in through a window in her rear bedroom.

Berry is not sure why the alarm did not sound, but the burglar had pulled the glass so that it landed outside the home. The thief made off with some cash and jewelry and also grabbed a handy item for these colder winter months — her fur-lined boots.

This is the second time Berry’s home has been broken into within the last year. After the December break-in, the alarm company paid a visit.

“They checked everything and said all their equipment was working fine. It’s not fun,” she says of the events. “My alarm actually accidentally went off last night, so I had the police out here again.”

Dallas Police Sgt. Keitric Jones of the Northeast Patrol Division says criminals will take advantage of any opportunity, and a package left on the front porch can be a sign that no one is at home. He recommends having alarms checked regularly to ensure they are functioning properly.

“There is no specific time when you should have your alarm checked. A good rule of thumb would be annually when you get the other equipment on your home checked, such as the air-conditioning or furnace.”

7300