Austin residents need to stay vigilant after a string of home and car burglaries this spring.

After the string of burglaries, Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger urged residents to lock their doors.

“Citizens continue to not secure or lock their residences or belongings,” he said last week.

Police are investigating at least a half-dozen burglary reports from the past few weeks, including several where burglars entered a home where people were asleep and stole items. Cars and even boat motors have been stolen from residents who hadn’t locked their doors or stored their belongings.

Austin hasn’t been alone, as several Minnesota communities — including Rochester and Duluth — have seen similar upticks in burglaries.

Along with locking your doors and securing your valuables, be a good neighbor. Report suspicious activity to area law enforcement at 437-9400 or through the Austin Police Department’s online app, Tip411 under austinpd.

Burglary prevention tips online:

•www.mncpa.net/community-resources/crime-prevention-tips/

•www.burglaryprevention.org/

•www.minneapolismn.gov/police/crimeprevention/