Crime Stats Show Thefts Are Up

By Andrew Gorosko

Crime statistics compiled for 2003 indicate a 22 percent increase in thefts reported locally, rising from 194 larcenies in 2002 to 237 larcenies in 2003. Police made 16 arrests for larceny in 2003.

The spike in thefts continues the trend seen between 2001 and 2002, when the larceny rate increased by more than 37 percent, rising from 141 thefts to 194 thefts.

The number of thefts was relatively stable during the preceding two years, with 154 thefts reported to police in 2000, and 146 thefts reported in 1999.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe said January 21 said that the sharp increase in thefts might be a result of hard economic times. Larcenies occur in all parts of town. Most larcenies involve the theft of items worth less than $500.

Also, the motivation for some larcenies, and for some burglaries that involve larcenies, is obtaining money to buy illicit drugs, Chief Kehoe noted.

In contrast to the rising number of larcenies, the number of burglaries reported to police in 2003 decreased, dropping by more than 11 percent. Police investigated 53 burglaries in 2003, compared to 60 burglaries in 2002. Police made seven burglary arrests in 2003.

By comparison, there were 58 burglaries in 2001; 66 burglaries in 2000, and 43 burglaries in 1999.

Motor vehicle theft in Newtown dropped to nine incidents in 2003, compared to 11 such thefts the previous year.

Town police recorded four arsons in 2003, compared to two arsons in 2002, and one arson in each of the preceding three calendar years.

The arson rate rose due to a series of as-yet unsolved car fires, which were set in late July. Arson is considered an especially difficult crime to investigate.

Chief Kehoe reported that town police made 36 drug arrests in 2003, compared to 35 drug arrests in 2002.

The town has not had a murder since July 1999. Before that, the town had a double murder/suicide in November 1993.

In 2003, police investigated two rapes, compared to one rape in 2002.

The town had two robberies in 2003, compared to one robbery in 2002.

In 2003, there were three aggravated assaults, compared to five such incidents in the preceding year.

In 2003, police issued 1,959 motor vehicle summonses and infraction tickets, compared to 2,129 summonses and infractions issued the preceding year, Chief Kehoe said.

Of that category, the vast majority of cases are infraction tickets, which carry fines that are payable by mail, Chief Kehoe said. The more serious summonses require court appearances. Summonses are issued for offenses such as driving under suspension, reckless driving, misuse of marker plates, driving an unregistered vehicle, automotive insurance violations, speeding to endanger, and evading responsibility.

Police issued 1,727 written motor vehicle warnings in 2003, compared to 2,382 such warnings in 2002.

Also, in 2003, police charged 77 motorists with drunken driving, compared to 81 such charges the preceding year. There were 77 such arrests in 2001, 67 in 2000, and 68 in 1999.

During 2003, police received 14,625 calls for police service, compared to 13,180 calls the preceding year.

Chief Kehoe said the police department has a crime prevention unit that advises the public on steps to be taken to prevent crime from occurring. The unit sets up Neighborhood Crime Watch programs.

To prevent crime, Chief Kehoe urges residents to secure their vehicles and secure their homes to keep would-be thieves at bay. Unsecured valuable property often sparks larcenies, he said. The motive for virtually all burglaries is larceny, he noted.