Crime & Safety

Rash of Break-Ins Prompt Belmont Police to Provide Some Advice

B&E's are on the rise so protect your homes; a good first step is lock your doors.

While many Belmont residents are happily anticipating a visit next week from a gift-bearing Santa, some residents have been leaving themselves open for someone entering their home and leaving WITH their presents.

According to Belmont Police Department's Assistant Chief James MacIsaac, the department has witnessed "an uptick in residential break-ins" in town. 

The modus operandi of these break-in reports are similar to those in the past: the entrance door or lock is forced opened or are simply unlocked. The majority of breaks occur in the late afternoon or early evening.  

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What helps many of the thieves is the architecture of Belmont houses. Many homes in Belmont have entrances that are recessed with foyer so that a person can stand in the entranceway and easily pry open the lock without being seen from the street, said MacIsaac. 

In other cases, screen doors and windows are another source of entry. Another common tactic by potential burglars is to ring the doorbell or knock on the door. When the perpetrator does not receive a response, the person will seek a way to enter the home. 

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

MacIssac suggest 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) or objects that could be stolen (bike, lawnmower.) 
  • Most importantly, introduce yourself to your neighbors. Consider having a neighbor or friend watch your home when you’re on vacation (cancel news paper delivery; pick up mail, put away trash barrels.)

If you observe any activity which might be suspicious at your house or a neighbor's, call 911. For investigative information only, contact the BPD Detectives at: 617-993- 2550 For all other concerns, please call 617-993-2501.


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