For the past month, robbers in Edmondson Heights and Caton Manor have foregone burglarizing houses in favor of the storage facilities outside of them.

From the first robbery on Dec. 5 to the most recent reported on Jan. 6, 10 sheds have been broken into in the northern Catonsville communities, according to Baltimore County police.

Det. Cathy Batton, a spokeswoman for Baltimore County police, said the robbers have struck at all hours of the day and target yard equipment, such as snowblowers and weed whackers.

Batton said that the police have no suspects.

"Any time we have this many incidents in such a small area, we're going to be looking to see if they're linked," Batton said.

The robberies have been reported on the 1000 block of Harwall Road, 1400 block of Dorchester Avenue, 1100 block of Kent Avenue, 1600 block of Kirkwood Avenue, 1400 block of Barrett Road, 5900 block of Charnwood Road and the 1300 and 1400 blocks of Ingleside Avenue.

Capt. John Spiroff, commander of Precinct 1, which includes most of Edmondson Heights, said county police contacted residents in the Baltimore National Pike corridor on Dec. 30 about the incidents through an automatic dialing system.

The message notified residents of the situation and urged them to take preventive action, such as using locks, recording serial numbers on equipment and being alert regarding unusual activity in their neighborhoods.

"If you happen to see someone around your neighbor's property with a snowblower, especially if there is no snow on the ground, and is not doing yard work, call 911," Batton said.

In addition to urging residents to be more aware and to secure their property, Spiroff said police have stepped up patrols in the area.

That means more uniformed and plainclothes officers in the area, Spiroff said.

"When the officers are out there on this detail, if they see unusual, suspicious activity in the area, they'll question individuals," Spiroff said. "We're keeping our eye on that area, and of course we're notifying (the Woodlawn Station) of what we're doing."

The Woodlawn police station patrols Precinct 2, which includes part of the northern area of Catonsville.

"Sheds are easy targets because they're away from the house," Spiroff said. "They usually contain tools or related items that can be stolen and (sold)."

Ed Svatek has lived in Edmondson Heights for 11 years and serves as president of the Edmondson Heights Civic Association.

Svatek doesn't plan on solely relying on the police to cut down on the crime in the area.

He said his neighborhood worked with police to start a Citizens On Patrol group, which is just getting off the ground.

He said they want to createa community walking group to establish an outdoor presence in the community and foster relationships between neighbors.

"People today are afraid of going out, and I don't blame them," Svatek said.

The recipe to a safe neighborhood, Svatek said, also comes from individuals doing small things to protect themselves and their neighbors.

Svatek said his association encouraged people who stay home during the day to keep an eye out for school-aged children and to call police if they see youngsters in the neighborhood on a school day.

Through word of mouth, Svatek and his association have encouraged residents to keep their front and back lights on and a light on the shed if possible.

"That's been a big deterrent," Svatek said.