Belmont PD Investigate String Of Home Break-Ins

BELMONT, MA — Belmont police are advising residents to be extra cautious after a string of home break-ins this past week. Police are investigating three break-ins, all in the Winn Brook area.

Police said all three break-ins happened between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Aug. 19 and Aug. 22. The homes that were targeted were along Tobey Road, New Castle Road and Waterhouse Road.

Belmont police are increasing directed patrol activity in the area and the detective division is working full time on the cases. The department is residents to call 9-1-1 if they observe any activity which might be suspicious at their house or a neighbor's house.

Criminals will often watch resident entry or exit patterns and strike while people are at work during the day or away on vacation, Belmont police said.

The department suggests residents take the following steps to help protect your home from burglary:

• Use sturdy doors Solid wooden doors or doors reinforced with steel offer much more protection than hollow core wooden doors.

• Use safe locks Adding quality deadbolt locks is a great idea because they can’t be ‘popped’ the way spring-latch locks can. Ensure that sliding doors are secured with a security plate or screw in the upper track and a metal bar or piece of wood in the lower track.

• Lock windows When you are not at home, always lock your first floor windows.

• Security alarm systems Most systems have loud sirens. Certain systems alert the alarm company to contact the police to respond to the home. Security decals are also placed on doors and windows as a deterrent.

• In a single family home or a multi-dwelling building, the outer hallway door should be locked. If a thief has access to the inner hallway, the thief now has a cover from the public’s eye and extra time to break through the front door without being noticed.

• Turn on your front and rear porch lights at dusk so that the outside of the house is well lit around the entrances.

• When the house is unattended, leave on a radio or sound fixture and also use timers on some inside lights to leave an impression that someone is home.

• Ensure that there are no objects lying around the exterior of your home that could be used to break into your home (ladder, tools, etc) or objects that could be stolen (bike, lawnmower etc.)

• Most importantly, introduce yourself to your neighbors. Consider having a neighbor or friend watch your home when you’re on vacation (cancel newspaper delivery; pick up mail, put away trash barrels, etc.)