Lawrence police are warning people about a spate of garage break-ins in the city and asking people to leave their garage doors down, especially at night.

Crooks are entering open garages and the homes attached to them and stealing valuables, sometimes while the homeowners are inside, police said.

“I would urge everyone in town, just make sure that when you’re home, your garage door’s closed,” said Sgt. Bill Cory, police spokesman.

Cory said police are beefing up their patrols. The burglaries, which are occurring throughout the city, are concentrated primarily west of Kasold Drive. Officers are investigating reports of 14 home garage burglaries in the city since April, in which garage doors have been left open.

In addition, on four occasions crooks have broken into vehicles left in driveways or in front of homes, stolen the garage door opener inside and used it to enter a house.

The break-ins are occurring primarily in the evening and overnight hours, but also other times of the day, Cory said. It’s unclear if the cases are connected.

“It may be more of a summertime issue, people are at home more, their garage doors are open more,” said Cory.

While he said it’s important for people to keep garages closed up, police said homeowners also need to be careful about leaving garage doors cracked.

“Even if they think it’s OK to maybe vent some of the heat, since it’s been so hot lately … somebody might be able to wiggle their way underneath,” Cory said.

Officers are asking people to be aware of their neighborhoods and surroundings, and to call them if they see someone or something out of the ordinary.

Outside Lawrence, Douglas County sheriff’s deputies said they have not noticed an increase in burglaries.