Burglaries 'Could Be Prevented': Officials Encourage Residents to Get Involved

Planning a summer vacation? Before you leave your home unoccupied for any extended period, officials recommend you notify the police department.

during the first weeks of July and there have been several reported

Commissioner Daniel Lanciano reminded residents to fill out a vacation house check form, before they leave town, during the July Board of Commissioners meeting.

With a house check request, police will periodically patrol residents’ properties while they’re away to ensure belongings are still there when they return.

Lanciano said police contacted neighbors in areas where crimes took place and found that some had witnessed questionable activity and failed to notify the department.

“It could have helped prevent [crimes] if called in a timely manner,” he said. “If something looks suspicious, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.”

"The importance of simply reporting suspicious activity can’t be underscored enough," said Springfield Police Chief Joseph Daly in a to Patch regarding citizen involvement to prevent crime.

"As an example, in recent weeks there were several instances where citizens observed and failed to report suspicious activity in each case a crime was committed, which would have been averted and resulted in the arrest of offenders."

Residents can work with police to reduce and prevent crime, help solve problems and educate the public through the township’s Community Watch Program, which presently has about 40 active members.

As of July 9, community watch volunteers have reported 160 police incidents, 56 public safety deficiencies (street lights out, missing signs, etc.) and logged 396 patrol hours with 2,409 roving patrol miles, the program's website states.

"There are no words that adequately express the gratitude that this township owes to the ever increasing members of Community Watch," Daly said. 

"These residents give freely of their precious spare time and voluntarily patrol their neighborhoods to add another layer of protection to their friends and neighbors." 

Lanciano encouraged residents to attend the police department’s event tomorrow, Aug. 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the at .

The event is held to bolster community awareness and participation in anti-crime efforts.

Children’s activities, raffle prizes, live music, displays of police and fire apparatus and an appearance by the Philadelphia Eagles’ cheerleaders are all part of the event. Township officials will be on hand to chat with residents and answer questions. Stop by the Springfield Patch table at the event to meet the editor and get freebies.

Vacation house check and community watch volunteer forms are attached to this article. They’re also available at the

For more information on the Vacation House Checks, Community Watch Program and National Night Out event, view the attached information and/or visit the and Community Watch website.