Crime & Safety

Police in Jamaica Plain Warn of Increased Break-ins

Most of them have been happening during the day when people are at work. Here are some tips to avoid becoming a victim.

[Editor's note: The following is a message from , commander of the Boston Police E-13 District, which is mostly Jamaica Plain.]

Dear Residents and Crime Watch partners,

Summer has finally arrived. The wonderful warm weather presents evenings of joy and relaxation….and caution as well. We at District 13 are always looking for ways to help our residents remain safe in their homes. With the hot days ahead, the reality of open doors and windows potentially provides opportunities for residents to fall victim to breaking and entering incidents. As of this message our district has experienced 20 residential breaks for the month of June, and although our numbers are slightly down from this same time period last year, we strive to have no breaks. The way we work to accomplish this task is to share information with our residents regarding how one best protects their properties. The following is a list of considerations for enjoying your summer while looking out for your homes…

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  • Keep all doors and windows secured when no one will be home.
  • Secure air conditioners to window frames to prevent them from easily being pushed in.
  • Keep shades closed to prevent intruders from freely gazing into property.
  • Don’t leave items of value in plain view.
  • Expensive locks are only as good as the doors and frames their attached to.
  • Form Neighborhood Watch groups and get to know your neighbors.
  • Call 911 to report suspicious persons.  A suspicious person may be someone you don’t know trespassing along the side or rear of homes, unsolicited salesmen with no identification, and unexpected visit by “utility workers”, someone who rings doorbells but is confused about who they are looking for….
  • Trust your instincts, if you called your neighbor to discuss something suspicious you should be calling 911.
  • Let your neighbors know when you’ll be away, have your mail picked up or left at post office.
  • Most of our residential breaks are happening during the day when people are at work.
  • We had no residential breaks on Saturdays.
  • Laptops and cell phones appear to be items of desire, keep your serial numbers handy and consider tracking software.
  • Attempt to eliminate “blind spots” where an intruder could enter property undetected.

Together, we can have an impact on residential break-ins. From being aware of those in our neighborhoods, to securing our properties, to calling 911 if you see someone who doesn’t “seem right”, these simple reminders go a long way in decreasing the overall sense of “helplessness”. Let’s take a stand for each other, and here’s hoping for a safe, fun and joyful summer.

 

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