House burglaries shot up in December, bringing the total to 49 for the year, Police Chief Mike Weir told Selectmen Thursday night.In the final month of the year there were 11 break-ins, concentrated mainly in Oakdale and East Dedham.
While this is an increase over the 29 reported break-ins in 2007, Weir said “I don’t want people to panic.It’s something we are going through, and we’ve been very successful in” capturing the perpetrators.
Weir told the Board that some arrests had been made, and the Department had still others “on the radar.”Police made an arrest on Friday, the day after the meeting, in connection with the break-ins, but no further details were made available when this story was published.
Town Administrator Bill Keegan commended the job the police had been doing.He said the level of crime solving “has been remarkable.The officers of that department have done a terrific job.”
Weir told the Board that the number of break-ins has been on the rise since September, however a review of police records show that most were concentrated between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Those 8 days saw 15% of all break-ins last year, and more than a third took place in Novemebr and December. The end of the year spike was first reported by JD on myDedham.org.
Weir also told the Board there was little more the police could do to prevent burglaries than they were already doing.“Unfortunately,” he said, “people have the desire to break into homes, they have the ability, and then they have the opportunity.When all three of them come together, it is very difficult to stop someone from breaking in.”
Keegan told the Board that “there’s no question that this is a symptom” of the economic downturn.He said other towns were facing an increase in crime as well.
Weir did say there were some inexpensive measures residents could take to protect themselves, such as keeping expensive electronic equipment away from windows where people can see it.There are more tips available on the Crimewatch section of the Police Department’s website.
Keegan said he had asked all Town employees, particularly those who are deployed around town in vehicles, to be more vigilant and aware of their surroundings.Weir said residents should do the same.
“Sometimes you just need a break,” Weir said. “Sometimes you need that one phone call that says ‘I see something that’s a little out of the ordinary.’”
