Neighborhood Watch
Regretfully, a Square Lake property was burglarized with forced entry during the early morning hours on September 28, 2021. Washington County Sheriff’s Department was contacted and issued a detailed Offense Report. However, the burglar(s) have not yet been identified. Property loss included a John Deere tractor, Ariens lawn mower, and numerous Stihl chain saws.
A neighbor heard a loud diesel truck during the night, after earlier observing a large black diesel truck in her driveway.
Our Square Lake Association is fortunate to have an esteemed FBI Special Agent, as a friend, neighbor and adjacent property owner. Kevin Blanchard recently spoke with me about this atypical and unsettling burglary of September 28, which we recently learned about and then verified. I asked Kevin if he had any guidance for us as neighborhood homeowners, and he kindly responded as follows:
“I would say cameras such as “Ring” cameras that work through an app on your cellular telephone are a good deterrent in regards to possible burglars. However, it seems like whomever stole the tractor [and other equipment] previously knew where the tractor was being stored and came prepared with a trailer and truck large enough to handle pulling a large tractor. It doesn’t seem like this was a random burglary, but I could be wrong.
We are no longer living in the days where we can leave our doors/garages/barns unlocked. Most burglars go for quick and easy items. If something is locked and would take time to access, they will most likely move on. If we could create some sort of neighborhood forum through the “Ring Neighborhood” app or something similar, I think that could keep all of the Square Lake neighbors informed about any break-ins or suspicious activity.
If there’s anything I can do to help out, let me know.”
Please email Jim Seidl if you have any information to share about this burglary; questions or comments for our friend and neighbor FBI Special Agent Kevin Blanchard; or interest in creating a Neighborhood Watch forum.