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Crime climbs; officials ask residents to beware
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In light of recent increases in residential burglaries and robberies, Madison and Dane County officials are calling on people to use caution late at night and keep their eyes peeled for anything suspicious.
In February alone, more than 10 robberies and burglaries were reported to the Madison Police Department, many of which occurred late at night when the victim was walking home alone, said Joel DeSpain, MPD public information officer.
“We’ve advised this since summer of 2006: It’s just not a safe practice to walk alone,” DeSpain said. “Plan out your night so you know who you’re going to leave with and how you’re going to get home safely.”
According to FBI statistics, 785 burglaries occurred in Madison in the first six months of 2007. DeSpain said crime statistics for the entire year of 2007 will come out in the next few weeks.
One of the most disturbing burglary trends, according to City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4, is the number of residential burglaries that occur because people leave their doors and windows unlocked, allowing burglars to enter with ease.
“We’ve seen this the whole academic year in unprecedented numbers,” Verveer said, referring to crimes of opportunity trends. “It’s just amazing there have been so few arrests.”
MPD has made a handful of arrests, but according to DeSpain, the “smash and grab burglaries” occur so fast that it is difficult to arrest perpetrators.
For Verveer, the positive side of burglary trends is the perpetrators’ nonviolent nature.
“Luckily, burglars do what they can to get out of there, and they aren’t trying to hurt anyone,” he said. “I find some solace in that.”
According to a Dane County Sheriff’s Office release, there is a recent trend of perpetrators waiting outside homes to see if residents are home, and if no one answers, they burglarize the home. If someone does answer, the perpetrator gives a false story explaining why he or she is there.
Laptops, gaming systems, jewelry and cash are the most targeted items, Verveer said, and since so many people do not have renters insurance, burglaries result in thousands of dollars in loss and a huge sense of violation for students.
“So many laptops are stolen that could contain an entire year of research,” Verveer added.
DeSpain said MPD recognizes burglaries are the “crime du jour right now,” and detectives from across the city are periodically convening to discuss what to do about such a mounting problem. Law enforcement from Dane County is also constantly briefed about crime trends in Madison and surrounding areas.
“We try to all trade information, so we are all aware of trends and suspect likeliness,” DeSpain said.
Verveer encouraged students to keep their eyes open for anything strange.
“If you see somebody suspicious, hanging out on a porch, you shouldn’t feel hesitant to call the cops,” he said.
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Don’t get drunk and walk alone at night. Lock your doors an windows.
Does this really need to be said? Evidently, yes.
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thank you Downtown Safety Initiative