BY ROD HANSENNew Boston’s police department has been leading the effort to curb a recent spate of home burglaries affecting several local communities.
New Boston’s police department has been leading the effort to curb a recent spate of home burglaries affecting several local communities.
New Boston’s police department has been leading the effort to curb a recent spate of home burglaries affecting several local communities.
“All the surrounding towns have had an influx of (burglary)- type crime over the past few months,” said police Sgt. Frank Kochanek, who helped organize two recent summits among local police departments to address the problem.
New Boston has experienced four home burglaries in the past month, Kochanek said. Neighboring communities including Bedford, Weare, Deering and Goffstown have also experienced outbreaks in criminal activity, he said.
Such an increase in the number of burglaries generally occurs during during the late fall and early winter and is likely tied to the holiday season, he said. “People are down and out this time of year,” Kochanek said.
“They’re hard on their luck, and what happens is an increase in crime.” A study of burglarized homes in New Boston shows the homes to be fairly secluded, though they are connected to major state roadways such as Route 114, Route 77 and the 2nd New Hampshire Turnpike, Kochanek said.
“The homes that were hit are in places where they could get out of the area fast,” Kochanek said. The burglaries all show signs of forced entry, he said.
The police department is working with other agencies to determine possible links in the crimes, Kochanek said. Areas under investigation include similarities in the dates and times at which the burglaries occurred, connection to major roadways and items stolen, he said.
Kochanek offered some ideas on how residents can protect themselves. He said homeowners should be sure to lock their doors and windows, keep wallets or checkbooks in a secure place, and send out the word if you’re going away for an extended holiday vacation.
“If you’re going to be away for a long period of time, it’s a good idea to tell the police so we can check your property,” Kochanek said. “You might also talk to a neighbor and have them look out for any unusual activity while you’re away,” he said.
New Boston is not alone in its recent rise in criminal activities. Nearby Weare has also seen four recent home burglaries, said Weare Police Chief Gregory Begin.
Though the chief declined to discuss specifics of the cases, he said items taken included money and jewelry. He also cautioned residents to take extra security measures.
“Some of these burglaries have been through locked doors, but make continued efforts to make sure your doors are locked, and keep an eye on your neighborhood,” Begin said.
Weare police are coordinating their investigation with neighboring communities, Begin said. Lt. Mark Bodanza attended the recent summit in New Boston, he said.
Goffstown has also been hard hit by burglaries lately, with that town reporting a total of eight confirmed incidents since Oct. 1.
The break-ins show signs of both forced and non-forced entry, said Goffstown Sgt. Rob Browne. This indicates some residents may have left home without taking the proper precautions.
“People have a hard time remembering whether they locked or didn’t lock a door. In cases where they do forget, that is an opportunity” for burglary, he said.
He also said most of the burglaries have involved money and jewelry, and agreed with Kochanek that residence should inform police and neighbors of any plans to go away.
He also suggested something as simple as a “beware of dog” sign could keep potential prowlers away.
Although Browne said recent burglaries are a cause for concern, he said he doesn’t consider the numbers exceptionally high.
“Any time someone’s home gets broken into, it’s a major event,” Browne said.