Police Forces Unite to Fight Spike in Possibly Drug-Related Burglaries

A spike in house burglaries and car break-ins in Melrose and surrounding communities over the past year may be part of a regional trend fueled by criminals with drug addictions, according to a recent gathering of area police departments.

"This is not just one single community getting hit," said Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle. Lyle said the burglars typically look for quick, convenient targets.

 "We categorize [burglars] as opportunists," Lyle said. "They're people looking for fast cash and are usually people trying to support a habit."

The rise in break-ins to cars and homes have local law enforcement officials looking for ways to fight back. Police departments in Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, Stoneham and Saugus have formed a local task force, which met two weeks ago to discuss the recent string of crimes.

Reading Police Lieutenant Richard Robbins said Reading already cooperates with area police, but area departments are trying to achieve better information sharing to solve this jump in crime. One example of that jump in crime came in the first week of August, when residents in Stoneham reported a string of over 20 overnight vehicle break-ins.

Thieves typically look to quickly sell items at second-hand shops, but Lyle said second-hand shops in town collect contact information from sellers and are fully compliant with police requests. He said it is difficult to track items once they leave town.

A common mistake that many residents make is leaving their doors and windows unlocked.

"Generally, (burglars) are not breaking windows," Lyle said.  "They're rattling doors to see if they're unlocked."

Wakefield Police Detective Sergeant Richard DiNanno said that "most burglars don't want to break into occupied homes." He encourages residents to keep exterior lights on at night, install alarm systems if possible, and to establish a neighborhood watch.

Residents should hide or lock up items such as laptop computers, GPS units, iPods, and pocketbooks. These items can tempt thieves looking for a quick strike.

"People have to be really sharp.  If you go away, tell your neighbors, cancel [delivery of] newspapers and mail," Lyle said.

DiNanno encourages residents to call the police when they see something suspicious or unusual. "Get as much information as possible about the situation, especially a license plate number if a vehicle is involved," he said.

Several police departments have noticed a spike in burglaries and that it hasn't only been during summer vacation or the holidays, Lyle said.

"We got hit pretty hard this year, period," he said.

Lyle said Mayor Rob Dolan reached out to police departments in neighboring communities to spearhead the local task force to address recent burglaries and break-ins. DiNanno said a regional task force is already in place, but he said a local task force will help to bring departments together to exchange information about issues that may not affect the whole region.