Police In Sound Shore Communities Warn Of 'Uptick' In Burglaries

MAMARONECK, NY — Police in the Village of Mamaroneck, Village of Larchmont and Town of Mamaroneck are offering tips to homeowners in the wake of a recent increase in reported residential break-ins.

Officials in all three Sound Shore communities say the spike in recent months is not limited to our area, but is rather part of a concerning trend in the wider region.

"Over the last three months, the Town of Mamaroneck has seen an uptick in residential burglaries," the Town of Mamaroneck Police Department said in a public safety alert issued on Friday. "This increase in criminal activity is not isolated to the Town. It is emerging as a county and regional trend."

Village of Larchmont police said the absence of lighting, especially interior lighting, indicates a home is unoccupied and is among the most common ways thieves target homes for break-ins.

Accumulated newspapers or mail outside of a residence, un-shoveled snow, garbage cans left at the curb or packages left in plain view are also signs to potential thieves that a house is unoccupied and ripe for burglary. Police said that thieves will often key in on houses with no cars in the drive as well.

"This crime pattern is generally occurring between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.," the Larchmont Police Department said in a notice to homeowners on Thursday, warning of the burglaries in neighboring communities. "Burglars tend to target vulnerable homes in affluent communities."

Police said doors, garage doors and ground floor windows left unlocked or open can make things easy for thieves.

Village of Mamaroneck police suggested in an alert sent on Thursday that homeowners take a few simple steps that they may not have thought of to keep their homes from being inviting to potential burglars:

• Do not leave ladders outside your home that someone can use to enter an upper-floor window.
• Secure sliding glass doors.
• Keep bushes and trees trimmed so windows are easily visible.
• If you have an alarm system, use it. Even if you are leaving the residence for a short amount of time. Test your alarm system with the monitoring company on a monthly basis.
• Install motion sensor lights for the exterior of the home.
• Use indoor timers to light the interior of the home, especially if you are away.
• Keep vehicles locked when parked in your driveway. Do not leave any items of value in the visible area of the vehicle.
• If you arrive home and you believe someone may have entered, leave the residence immediately and call 911.

In the meantime, police will be doing their part to protect property and help keep everyone safe.

"Rest assured, the Town of Mamaroneck Police Department is vigorously investigating each occurrence in the Town and is working with their County, State and Federal partner agencies to combat this recent increase in illegal activities," officials in the Town of Mamaroneck said. "Additionally, stepped up patrols have been instituted within the town."