Begin forwarded message: From: "CitizenObserver" <alerts@citizenobserver.com> Date: September 24, 2010 11:48:29 AM EDT To: Subject: Cambridge PD: Neighborhood 9 - Peabody Alert - Community Update: Housebreaks in Peabody Reply-To: alerts@citizenobserver.com Cambridge PD: Neighborhood 9 - Peabody spacer <http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/images/spacer.gif> CITIZEN ALERT Community Update: Housebreaks in Peabody The Cambridge Police Department has recently identified an uptick in residential burglaries in your neighborhood. There have been eleven daytime housebreaks in Peabody since 8/17. The point of entry is generally by forcing doors open or cutting side window screens. The main targets of these thefts appear to be jewelry, silverware and laptops. Overall, housebreaks in Peabody are down 37% over the last 5 years and 33% from 2009 levels. Citywide, housebreaks are down 2% this year compared to the same time frame in 2009. It should be noted that the West Cambridge and Mid-Cambridge neighborhoods have also seen recent increases in housebreak activity. Housebreaks were one of the primary topics at the Cambridge Police Department BridgeStat meeting this week and we will be deploying additional resources to help prevent this pattern of thefts. Residents should also expect more detailed information in the October release of BridgeStat. Please remember to follow these simple tips to protect your residence and your belongings: . Try "casing" your own home, at night and during the day. Attempt to gain access to your home when the doors and windows are locked and "secure." Make sure you have some identification on you in case your neighbors call the police. . ALWAYS lock your doors and windows. Doors should be made from strong wood or metal and should be locked with a deadbolt. Install guards on windows that prevent them from being raised more than a few inches. . Leave a light on (perhaps on a timer) when you go away, even for the evening. Leave a television or radio on as well. . Install motion sensor lights outside your home and out of reach so burglars cannot unscrew the light. Also, buy variable light timers to activate lights in your home. . NEVER prop open the door or let someone in behind you if you live in an apartment building. If the building has a main entryway, make sure that security is enforced at the main door. Report residents who do this to your landlord. . Be vigilant. If you suspect suspicious activity around your home, your neighbors' homes, or in your neighborhood, please report it to the police immediately by calling 617-349-3300. . Document serial numbers of all electronics and take pictures of all valuables. Keep this in a safe place to provide to the police in the event you are burglarized. . Request a Residential Security Survey from the Cambridge Police Department, which provides a general assessment of the vulnerability of your residence. For more info, please call (617) 349-3236. <http://www.elabs5.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=jaysy,9dwn,1d8,k6we,ldyn,b79n,ib1l> Submit a Tip Contact Information Contact Name: Dan Riviello, Communications Specialist Contact Name: Contact Email: <mailto:PIO@Cambridgepolice.org> PIO@Cambridgepolice.org Contact Email: Contact Phone: 617-349-3237 Contact Phone: <http://www.elabs5.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=jaysy,9dwn,1d8,m6qt,3la9,b79n,ib1l> See More Details/Translate <http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/ncnews_aff.jsp?sender=jlipshaw@gmai l.com&uid=7f98bd0869&p=2654&mid=437927> spacer <http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/images/spacer.gif>