SALEM, Ore. -- Several burglaries in Salem put police on alert, and they're urging homeowners to do the same.

Police have investigated 19 break-ins in south Salem neighborhoods in the last six weeks, and they said the thieves got inside the same way each time.

Salem police are trying to get the word out that a group of burglars is looking for open and unlocked garage doors.

Burglars are going house to house, pulling on garage doors, searching for ones left open or just unlocked, police said.

And Steen Copeland said he sees that all the time.

"I think a lot of people have cats, and we've done that with ours a few times -- left it open a small crack," Copeland said.

Shirley Zimdars lives alone and takes her safety very seriously.

"I check my doors twice before I go to bed," Zimdars said.

She can't believe that burglars have been successful around here.

"I was sort of surprised that something happened in this neighborhood because we look out for one another. If their garage doors are open, I'll call them," Zimdars said.

Salem police are urging all home owners to not only lock their outside garage doors but also the one leading into the house.

But Copeland said it's hard to imagine he'd ever be a target.

"We have, like, the latches on the doors to make it harder to get inside. But then you think, 'Oh, it won't happen to us,'" Copeland said.

Burglars Search For Open Garages, Police Say