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Newark Police warn of spike in burglaries

5:27 p.m., Dec. 10, 2004--Following a rash of burglaries in Newark, local police have urged residents to employ extra precautions and offered safety tips for the holidays.

Police said 28 burglaries have been reported in the city of Newark since mid-October. In many cases, the burglar broke in by cutting or removing the screens from first-floor windows and either pushing in unlocked windows or forcing them open.

The burglaries have targeted jewelry, collectibles, power tools and other valuables, such as laptop computers, Newark Police Department Cpl. Tracy Simpson said.

“A lot of people are away and criminals know that,” Simpson said. “We usually have a lot of burglary activity during the holidays. Burglars will always choose houses where you are not home.”

Simpson said residents should employ safety precautions, lock and reinforce their windows, increase exterior lighting, where possible, and remove shrubbery that obscures windows.

Simpson suggested some simple precautions including marking valuables with identifiable engravings, maintaining a list of valuables for reference in the event of loss and recording the serial numbers of items that have them.

Newark Police Department offered the following crime prevention tips:

• If you are going to be out of town, ask the post office to stop your mail and suspend your newspaper delivery. Built-up mail and newspapers are a sure sign to the burglar that you are not home;
• Consider installing an alarm system. Post signs on doors and windows that the residence is alarmed;
• Keep garage doors closed even when you are home. An open and empty garage usually indicates an empty home and allows easy access out of sight from the street;
• Do not leave articles on sidewalks, lawn or porch in areas easily accessible to the general public;
• Report broken streetlights. Well-lit areas discourage crime;
• Report to police any loitering strangers or individuals asking strange or vague questions about neighbors and their whereabouts;
• Be alert for any unusual activity. If you see an unknown person loitering in or around a neighbor's yard, don't be afraid to check their identity with your neighbor by phone; and
• Review the security of your home. If unsure, schedule a home-security survey with the Newark Police crime prevention officer.

Anyone with information about the recent burglaries is asked to call Cpl. Tracy Simpson, (302) 366-7110, ext. 129.

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