By Town Crier Staff

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office has scheduled a free crime prevention presentation at 7 p.m., Thursday, at the Bullis-Purissima School Multiuse Room, 25890 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills.

Detectives from the fraud and property crimes unit will discuss ways for residents to protect themselves against residential burglary and identity theft; specifically, from burglars, computer hackers and mail thieves.

“The big concern is the amount of mail theft and identity theft,” said Los Altos Hills public safety officer Steven Garcia.

Garcia said the presentation will feature a video presentation and detectives will be available to answer questions.

Los Altos Hills, with its affluent residents, has been a frequent target for mail theft and burglaries, in part because the rural topography gives crooks easy cover. Roadside mailboxes are often hidden from residences.

Capt. John Hirokawa said identity theft cases increased 1,400 percent from 1997 to 2002, nationwide, and Los Altos Hills is particularly “susceptible.”

“We thought, with the summer months coming up and people going on vacation, and with crimes on the rise during the bad economy, we wanted to have a workshop to try to prevent crimes and give some tips,” Hirokawa said.

For more information and to make reservations, call 941-7222, ext. 242.