Spurred by a recent string of break-ins in Northampton and surrounding communities, police are advising residents to take extra precautions against theft.
A Wednesday post on the Northampton Police Department Facebook page warns area residents of an increase in break-ins to both homes and vehicles. The post advises residents to lock all doors and windows, arm security systems, and keep valuables out of sight. The post lists the website SafeHome.org as a source of good information about precautionary steps.
Northampton police have responded to 14 break-ins in the past two weeks, including seven vehicles on Crescent Street the night of Nov. 11 and an office on North Elm Street last Thursday.
Across the river in Hadley, Sgt. Mitchell Kuc said that, although no break-ins have been reported this month, residents are encouraged to be cautious in the upcoming holiday season.
“Break-ins in our area are fairly constant,” Kuc said. “Everyone should be locking their doors and windows, keeping their belongings out of plain view, and things like that.”
Students heading home for the holidays are leaving empty apartments and houses behind that could be a target.
“We get it every year, someone left a laptop over the holidays and it’s gone when they return,” Kuc said.
Students living in residence halls should also think about security. Properly communicating with roommates about who will be the last to leave, who will lock the doors, and taking valuables home, are all smart steps, said Patrick Archbald, deputy police chief at University of Massachusetts Amherst.
“We are especially vigilant around residence halls and keeping them secure during holiday breaks,” Archbald said.
He says Thanksgiving and Christmas break are historically the worst times for dorm room theft, although incidences of theft have decreased in recent years.
“There’s so much on their mind right now with finals, and travels, and family, it’s important to remind them that that security is important and to take care of their valuables,” Archbald said.
Sarah Robertson can be reached at srobertson@gazettenet.com