Belmont Police Department

Belmont Police Department 460 Concord Avenue Belmont, MA 02478 617-993-2501 Richard J. McLaughlin, Chief of Police

News Release Breaking & Entering Advisory Bulletin from the Belmont Police

Contact Assistant Chief James MacIsaac 617-993-2574

Date: 3/18/2013 For Publication and Immediate Release:

(Belmont, MA) There has been an uptick in residential break-ins in the town of Belmont and its neighboring communities. The Belmont Police are distributing the following advisory bulletin to assist in avoiding break-ins.

The general break-in reports are similar to those in the past where the entrance door/lock is forced opened or simply unlocked. The majority of breaks are occurring between the hours of 2PM and 8PM. Many homes in Belmont have entrances that are recessed with foyer so that a person can stand in the entranceway and easily pry open the lock without being seen from the street. Screen doors and windows are another source of entry, especially in good weather when windows are open. Another common tactic is to ring the doorbell or knock on the door. When the perpetrator does not receive a response, he/she will seek a way to enter the home.

Criminals will often watch resident entry/exit patterns and often strike while people are at work during the day or away on vacation. The Belmont Police suggest residents take the following steps to help protect your home from burglary:

 Use sturdy doors Solid wooden doors or doors reinforced with steel offer much more protection than hollow core wooden doors.  Use safe locks Adding quality deadbolt locks is a great idea because they can’t be ‘popped’ the way spring-latch locks can. Ensure that sliding doors are secured with a security plate or screw in the upper track and a metal bar or piece of wood in the lower track.  Lock windows When you are not at home, always lock your first floor windows. Page 2 (Breaking & Entering Advisory Bulletin from the Belmont Police)

 Security alarm systems Most systems have loud sirens. Certain systems alert the alarm company to contact the police to respond to the home. Security decals are also placed on doors and windows as a deterrent.

 In a single family home or a multi-dwelling building, the outer hallway door should be locked. If a thief has access to the inner hallway, the thief now has a cover from the public’s eye and extra time to break through the front door without being noticed.

 Turn on your front and rear porch lights at dusk so that the outside of the house is well lit around the entrances.

 When the house is unattended, leave on a radio or sound fixture and also use timers on some inside lights to leave an impression that someone is home.

 Ensure that there are no objects lying around the exterior of your home that could be used to break into your home (ladder, tools, etc) or objects that could be stolen (bike, lawnmower etc.)

 Most importantly, introduce yourself to your neighbors. Consider having a neighbor or friend watch your home when you’re on vacation (cancel news paper delivery; pick up mail, put away trash barrels, etc.)

If you observe any activity which might be suspicious, please call 9-1-1. For investigative information only, please contact the BPD Detectives at: 617-993- 2550 For all other concerns, please call 617-993-2501