DoingItLocal

3:30pm–#Bridgeport CT–Today’s care fire is at 120 Boston Avenue at the Radio Shack.   “You’ve got questions, firefighters got answers.”

(Bridgeport, CT – Aug. 1, 2013) – Burglaries remain down by 17 percent in the city this year but a recent uptick prompted police to launch preventative patrols in two areas.

“Both violent and property crime continue to trend downward, and that’s great news,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr.  “But as we analyze our data on a daily basis, we’ve noticed increase in burglaries in two areas of the city and deployed resources to address it.”

The police department has launched special “burglary patrols” in areas that have experienced recent increases.

“The department has added patrol units dedicated exclusively to addressing the increase in burglaries, and the effort so far has been effective,” said Chief Gaudett. “The officers focus on areas where we have seen a problem, check on businesses and conduct field interviews of suspicious people.

“We also need the public’s help in following some basic tips that will help people from being victimized,” he said.

The increase involves both commercial and residential burglaries, mainly focused in the northern end of the city and Upper East End.

Three involved commercial break-ins in which large quantities of cigarettes were taken.

Two incidents happened at S & A Cigar and Tobacco on Huntington Turnpike and one at Doughnut Inc. on Boston Avenue.

Detectives are investigating a possible link in the cases, and believe the cigarette cartons were being sold on the street or to local convenience stores or bodegas at a reduced price.

Additional patrols have been added to the Upper East End and to areas in the North End.

“We deployed the burglary patrol units that work in conjunction with the detective bureau burglary  unit,” said Capt. Robert Gearing. “These officers don’t answer 911 calls. They are assigned to the areas where we have observed increases. The key is visibility and being proactive.”

The department is asking the public to follow some basic tips that will help deter burglars:

Make sure that exterior lights are mounted out of reach, so that burglars can’t easily unscrew bulbs.

• Consider buying motion-sensitive lights, which are now available at relatively low prices.
• Use a variable light timer to activate lights inside your home.
• Trim trees and shrubs near doors and windows so burglars can’t hide in the shadows
• Install deadbolt locks on exterior doors
• Install double key locks in doors that contain glass (Remember to keep a key in a designated place in case of a fire)
• Think like a burglar and “case” your house the way a burglar would to gain access
• Lock up your ladders and tools that a burglar could use to break in

·         Work with your neighbors

3:03pm–#Bridgeport CT–EMS on the way for another bleeding man, this time on Highland Avenue.