Port Washington Police Note Rise In Crime

There has been a rise in crime in the Port Washington area over the past three months, according to Port Washington Police Chief James Salerno.

There have been four home break-ins, a vehicle stolen and property stolen from vehicles over the course of Sept. 1 to Nov. 4, police say.

Police provided a timeline of the crimes:

• Aug. 26 to 28— A home on Derby Road was burglarized. There was no forcible entry and property was stolen.
• Oct. 15— A vehicle was stolen from Reid Avenue at approximately 3:20 a.m.
• Oct. 16— An occupied home was burglarized on Davis Avenue at 2 a.m. Police say three to four people entered the home, confronted the homeowner, displayed a weapon and stole property. "We believe this location was selected for a reason and does not fit any burglary patterns to date," police said.
• Oct. 18— A home was burglarized on North Plandome Road at some point between 11:45 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. Police say property was stolen.
• Oct. 25 to Nov. 3— Two burglaries occurred at the same location in Baxter Estates while the residents were present. On at least one occasion, the burglars entered through unlocked doors and stole property at some time between 9:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.

Authorities do not believe the crimes are part of a pattern and they do not believe the car theft is connected to the burglaries.

Port Washington Police say if you see something suspicious, such as someone you don’t recognize on your neighbor's property, call 911. If you see someone suspicious on your block, call 911.

Here are burglary prevention tips, provided by Port Washington Police

• A dark house is an unoccupied house. A house with no light on at dinner time tells burglars that you are not at home.
• Do not leave all your valuables in your bedroom. Burglars always check bedrooms first
• Keep shrubbery trimmed. Thick, tall shrubbery provides cover for a burglar to work undetected.
• If you have an alarm system, put up signs that say you do. Do not use signs that hint at what type of equipment you system uses. Have your alarm serviced by a reputable technician.
• USE YOUR ALARM
• Make sure the exterior of your house is well-lit. Exterior lights are important — especially near doors or in the rear of the house, where burglars do most of their work.
• Close and lock your windows. Most burglars won’t attempt to break a secured window for fear of attracting attention.
• Secure any sliding doors. Make sure the lock is in working order. A steel rod in the door channel is helpful. For additional security, install two or three screws in the overhead track to reduce the chance of the door being lifted out of the track
• Make an itemized list of everything you own. Include brand name, model number, serial number, where and when purchased, and the items’ purchase price or estimated value. Attach receipts if you have them. Take photographs or videotape everything, and keep them in a safe place.
• If you are going away, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up all mail, newspapers and deliveries daily. Do not allow these items to accumulate. Ask this same neighbor to park in your driveway while you are gone.
• Don’t let empty garbage pails sit curbside after trash collection days.
• Offer to help a neighbor with any of the above. Be a good neighbor. Watch out for each other.

For questions or assistance, contact Deputy Chief Robert Del Muro – Commanding Officer of Patrol 516 883 0500 ext. 315 or P.O. John Bellini – Problem Oriented Policing Unit 516 883 0500 ext. 345.

Patch photo