Easton Sees More Burglaries This Year

It's not even close to being considered a crime wave, but Police Chief said Easton experienced a spike in burglaries over the past two years, and for that reason people should be aware and take precautions.

From January to June 2010, the Easton Police Department logged 37 house-breaks. During that same time frame this year, however, police recorded 45 burglaries, a 22-percent increase.

Krajcik said the numbers are statistically insignificant and do not represent a trend in that type of crime.

"It could be because of one person doing (burglaries) more than usual. Sometimes, if you have one person doing multiple house-breaks, the numbers will go up. I wouldn't call it a trend or a significant spike. It is an increase," the chief said.

He said that in many cases, the motive for house-breaks is drugs.
 All other types of crimes in Easton have remained relatively constant. (See graph).

Meantime, the chief said there are several actions residents can take to prevent burglaries and thwart would-be robbers.

•  Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened.

"An open window or door is an open invitation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak locks that may be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a 1-inch throw and reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws. All windows should have window locks," he said.

• Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts.

 "These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track," Krajcik said.

• Always lock the door to an attached garage. Don't rely on your automatic garage door opener for security.

• Create the illusion that you are home by using timers on lights, radios and TV's. Making your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home, will deter criminals.

• Keep the perimeter of your home well-lighted. Installing low-voltage outdoor lighting is a cost-effective way to discourage intruders, as well as highlight a house.

• Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away so delivered items do not accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are present.

• Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal, everyday appearance in your residence.

• Never leave a message on your telephone answering machine telling people that you are away from home. A message that you will return at a certain time leaves your home vulnerable in the interim.

• Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a window or door.

"People can help us prevent housebreaks by calling us when they see something suspicious. All too often we respond to investigate a housebreak and when checking with neighbors they will tell us they saw something unusual but didn’t call us," the chief said.