West Hartford Police Advise Residents How to Prevent Burglaries and Thefts

The following is a press release from the West Hartford Police Department:

The West Hartford Police Department has recently made several arrests of car and home burglary suspects.

Police Chief Tracey Gove would like to take an opportunity to remind the citizens of West Hartford and surrounding communities about good practices that help prevent burglaries and thefts. 

Burglaries and thefts do occur and are typically crimes of opportunity. Many criminals will walk around for hours looking for unlocked doors and open windows. With a few small steps and attention to some details it is possible to limit your exposure to these occurrences.

The West Hartford Police urge citizens to contact the police (860-523-5203 or 911 in an emergency) when someone or something out of the ordinary is seen in your neighborhood. Many times it may not turn into anything. However, all too often we hear a witness say “I did not want to bother the police.” We want to emphasize that this is our job and it is never a bother. We would rather respond and determine we were not needed than find out the next day that a crime was committed and we were not called.

It is important that before leaving your residence or going to bed, windows and doors be shut and locked. Additionally, lighting and motion activated lights on a home are a good idea. The lights, when possible, should be positioned so that the light bulbs are not easily removed. The same concepts apply to your vehicles.  Lock the doors, close the windows and do not leave valuables in your car. Never leave you keys in your vehicle.

Lastly, communicate with your neighbors. Let someone know if you are going to be out of town or away. Let them know whether there should or should not be someone at your residence during your absence. By taking a few simple steps you can lessen the likelihood of becoming a victim of a theft or burglary.