Overnight on May 21 there was a crime spree in my neighborhood. Valuables were stolen from several cars and a car itself was stolen (and later recovered in the Bronx). Upon further inquiry I learned that each of the cars involved were unlocked — and the stolen car even had a key in it. Not a single car was forcibly entered. These were crimes of opportunity.
Although the alleged perpetrator of last year’s series of car breaks-in has been apprehended and is awaiting trial,another criminal is on the prowl. Since the beginning of April, numerous citizens of our Greenwich have been victims of larcenies from their vehicles during the evening and overnight hours. These crimes have been not only in my “back-country Cos Cob” neighborhood but throughout town.
The common denominator in these situations is what the police call “the lack of securing of vehicles and personal belongings within” and what I call the lack of common sense. Lock your doors!
Hard economic times often result in increase in crime. Some people give these thieves easy targets. Thieves look for cash as well as purses and wallets, and items which can be “fenced” easily such as portable GPS boxes and laptops.
The Greenwich Police Community Impact Unit (formerly the Neighborhood Resourse Unit) is urging citizens to secure their vehicles, to make sure items of value are not visible, and to lock their home doors. They are also asking residents to be vigilant and to report — to 911– suspicious people on or near their property especially during the overnight and early morning hours.
The head of the GPD CIU, Sgt. Michael Reynolds, said, “Trust your instincts and call the police regardless of what time of day or night. See something? Say something. We (the Police) will respond and investigate.”
The GPD CIU and Criminal Investigations Division are actively following up leads on open cases. They dusted for finger-prints in the cases in my neighborhood, and apparently lifted a print. Given their recent track-record, GPD will find the people or person involved.
But the police want more than that. They want to PREVENT these opportunistic crimes from occurring in the first place. To accomplish that, they need the help the citizens of our Greenwich. Use common sense. Lock your car and house doors. Don’t leave your valuables in plain sight.
Report anything suspicious. CALL 911 — don’t just leave a message in voicemail. Time is of the essence in running down tips.
Don’t let Greenwich be a land of criminal opportunity.
