Police Investigate Westport Burglaries – Here Are Some Preventative Tips

Although there have been more burglaries in 2011 than 2010 in Westport, the numbers are not out of the ordinary, according to Lieutenant Vincent Penna.

Penna said there was an unusually small amount of burglaries committed in 2010 and that the 2011 year has been “more of a normal, on par year.”

“In the last month, they’ve been more frequent, but it still averages out,” Penna said of the burglary activity in Westport.

Westport resident Andrea Bergstein said she has heard of one burglary and one attempted burglary recently in her neighborhood in the Long Lots area of town.

“So many people in Westport believe that we live somewhere safe, and they should be made aware of what’s going on so they can take precautions,” Bergstein said.

Penna explained that detectives try to establish the burglars operating method, such as the their time frame, method of entering a home and the goods that they steal. Many times one person or group commits numerous burglaries in a certain geographical area.

Bergstein said the similarities in her neighbor’s burglaries where that the burglar entered, or attempted to enter through the back of the house during the middle of the day.

“We investigate and process every burglary,” Penna said. “We run down every lead and check with surrounding towns who have been getting hit harder than we are with burglaries.”

Westport police also checks out recently released prisoners living in the area and relies on crime scene evidence, including DNA and fingerprints.

“Unfortunately it is a crime that is committed surreptitiously, to be undetected,” Penna said. “If you see something, say something. Give us a call and we’ll come check it." 

Take a look at these tips that can prevent a burglar from targeting your home:

The burglary basics:

• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in. 
 
• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors. 
 
• Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day. 
 
• Keep your garage door closed and locked. 
 
• Don't allow daily deliveries of mail or newspapers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly. 
 
• Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time. 
 
• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary. 
 
• Push-button locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors. 
 
• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security. 
 

Don't tempt a thief: 

• Lawn mowers, snow blowers, grills and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
• Always lock your garden sheds and garages. 
 
• Use curtains on garage and basement windows. 
 
• Never leave notes on your door such as "Gone shopping."

Targeting the outside:

• Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
 
• Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders. 
 
• Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

Locks:

• No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation. 
 
• Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen. 
 
• When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

Windows:

• Most windows can be pinned for security. 
 
• Drill a 3/16" hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame - place a nail in the hole to secure the window.

Alarms:

• An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
 
• Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.

If your home is broken into (If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door):

• Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
 
• Use a neighbor's phone or your cell phone to call police. 
 
• Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence. 
 
• Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles. 
 
• Note the descriptions of any suspicious people. 

Other precautions you should take:

• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys. 
 
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory. 
 
 
• Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9­1­1 immediately.
• Mark your valuables with an engraver. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
• Form a neighborhood watch group. Police can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.