Towson Police Warn Residents to Secure Property, Vehicles

Towson police are once again urging residents to properly secure their residences and vehicles.

Baltimore County 2012 crime statistics released Tuesday reveal that Towson was the only precinct where crime did not decrease against the average of the past five years. Police Chief Jim Johnson attributed the rise to an increase in thefts—from buildings, from vehicles and shoplifting.

The figures show that property crime in Towson has jumped up by 321 cases, from 2,549 to 2,870.

In an email, Towson precinct Sgt. Stephen Fink shared information about an incident earlier this week where a man in his early 20s entered a residence on Kirkwall Road, confronted a teenage occupant and stole a laptop, cellphone and iPad. The teenager was not harmed.

Fink said it's important for residents to lock all windows and doors to residences, sheds, vehicles and garages, and secure valuables such as cash, jewelry and electronics out of sight.

"The less vulnerable we make ourselves the less of a target we become for them," he wrote in the email.

Baltimore County police also recently announced plans to enhance the police presence in downtown Towson.