NORTHFIELD — The Police Department is encouraging residents to lock their cars and homes after multiple vehicles were reportedly entered overnight on Tuesday.
According to Police Chief Robert Leighton, half a dozen vehicles were entered “in the Main Street area.” Leighton said all the vehicles that were reported as having been entered were left unlocked, though he suspects even more vehicles were entered but not reported.
“It’s a crime of opportunity,” he said. “Usually, it’s never just one car. They seem to hit an area or an entire street, taking everything they can.”
Leighton encouraged residents to install security systems for their homes and driveways, saying they can help prevent similar issues. Residents can even purchase inexpensive trail cameras, which work well and capture good images. The police can attain the images from trail cameras or home security systems to aid investigations.
“In the past, people have come to us with pictures (from security cameras) and we were able to use them to apprehend people involved in these types of crimes,” Leighton said.
The investigation of the Tuesday break-ins is ongoing, and Leighton said he could not specify the types of items that were stolen. Even though Northfield is a small, rural community, Leighton said residents need to remember to lock their doors and secure their properties.
The news of the Northfield break-ins follows similar news in neighboring Bernardston at the end of December, when the town’s Police Department reported in a Facebook post that there had been several reports of unlocked vehicles being entered on Church, Center and South streets. The department also received a report of one residence where it appeared someone tried to pry open a back door, but was unsuccessful.
Speaking on Thursday, Bernardston Police Chief James Palmeri echoed Leighton’s words, saying it’s a crime of opportunity. He noted that “sadly,” the holidays see an increase in this type of criminal activity. According to Palmeri, the department received a half-dozen reports of vehicle break-ins between October and December.
“Lock your doors and either bring items of value inside or keep them out of view,” he advised.
The most common items reportedly stolen from cars include cellphone chargers or loose change, Palmeri said. Once in a while an iPad may be stolen, he said, but often that or a cellphone can be tracked effectively. Sometimes people may not even notice items have been taken, and sometimes nothing has been, but there is still a feeling that someone had been in the car.
Palmeri encouraged residents to call their local police department if they see or hear something suspicious, and not to attempt to apprehend someone if they notice a crime in progress. The Bernardston Police Department can be reached at 413-648-9208 and the Northfield Police Department can be reached at 413-498-5118.