Slight Uptick in Upper Saucon Crime Over Last Year

Recent burglaries in Upper Saucon have prompted residents to wonder if a crime wave was headed to the township. Not so, says township police Chief Robert Coyle. "Compared to last year, we have almost the exact same amount of burglaries." 

In 2011, Upper Saucon had nine burglaries from Jan. 1 to March 1. This year as of March 4, Upper Saucon has reported 11 burglaries. They include: 

DATE

LOCATION

TIME OF OCCURRENCE

1/3/12

TAYLOR DRIVE

UNKNOWN

1/11/12

LANARK ROAD

Daytime

1/14/12

TAYLOR DROVE

Daytime

1/24/12

SAUCON DRIVE

Daytime

2/7/12

ABERDENEN STREET

Daytime

2/7/12

OLD BETHLEHEM PIKE

Daytime

2/13/12

SAUCON DRIVE

Daytime

2/24/12

SAUCON DRIVE

Daytime

2/26/12

CALVERT STREET

Evening

2/28/12

COURTNEY DRIVE

Daytime

2/29/12

OLD BETHLEHEM PIKE

Early Morning

Coyle says the number is typical for this time of year. "We're not out of our normal range of break-ins." 

That isn't to say that residents shouldn't take their safety for granted. Coyle says that residents should keep their eyes open for a dark-colored SUV that seems out of place in your neighborhood or on your street. The car may be connected to some of the recent break-ins.

One victim who gave information in an e-mail thread started by victims said, "These burglars go door to door, usually during the day.  If someone answers, they hand out some bogus flyer about roofing, gutters or some other thing and move on.  If no one answers, that house has just been targeted.  If you see something shady or something doesn't feel right, call the cops. They can't be everywhere and need our help." 

Last year's prompted residents to start an The committee, which met monthly, tapered off over the winter, but plans on regaining momentum starting this spring. Residents of the Sunnydale subdivision also are starting a crime watch. Its first meeting is scheduled for March 14 at 7pm at the Southern Lehigh Public Library.