Statistics on the incidence of property crime that occurred during 2014 compiled by town police indicate that the number of reported burglaries in 2014 more than doubled compared to 2013, and the number of reported thefts decreased.

According to those statistics, police received reports of 52 burglaries during 2014, compared to 24 burglaries in 2013, representing an almost 117 percent increase in that crime category.

Viewed more broadly, the 24 burglaries which were reported in 2013 reflected a low incidence of that crime for a given calendar year. The 24 burglaries reported in 2013 represented the lowest incidence of burglary during a single calendar year dating back to at least 2003.

From 2003 to 2014 inclusive, the number of burglaries reported in a single year ranged from a low of 24 such crimes in 2013 to a high of 57 burglaries in 2006.

The incidence of burglaries varies widely from year to year. During the past 12 years, 541 burglaries were reported to police, producing an average annual rate of 45 burglaries during that period.

Also, police note that there was a spike in the number of burglaries that occurred from November 2014 through January 2015 inclusive, and consequently are warning residents to be aware of their surroundings and to promptly report any suspicious activity to police.

According to the statistics, police solved 15 burglaries in 2014.

In Connecticut, there are three degrees of burglary, with first-degree burglary being the most serious. All burglaries are felonies.

The statistics, which were provided by Police Chief Michael Kehoe, show that police received reports of 155 larcenies, or thefts, having occurred during 2014, compared to the 162 thefts reported in 2013, representing a 4.3 percent annual decrease in that crime category.

Like burglaries, the number of larcenies occurring year-to-year varies widely. In 2012, police received reports of 185 thefts.

During the 12-year period from 2003 to 2014 inclusive which the statistics cover, the number of thefts during a given year ranged from a low of 155 thefts in 2014 to a high of 237 thefts in 2003.

Across that 12-year period, 2,297 larcenies were reported to police, producing an average annual rate of just over 191 larcenies for the period.

The statistics show that police solved 45 larcenies in 2014.

In Connecticut, there are six degrees of larceny. First-degree through third-degree larcenies are felonies, and fourth-degree through sixth-degree larcenies are misdemeanors.

Chief Kehoe noted that in reviewing statistics on crime, he seeks to spot both short-term and long-term trends in deciding what steps police should take in terms of law enforcement.

As such, in response to the recent short-term increase in burglaries, police are publicizing that problem, and urging residents to be mindful of any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and report it promptly to police.

Other Crimes

Among other property crimes, the statistics show that police received reports of three motor vehicle thefts during 2014, compared to four such thefts in 2013.

Police said they solved three motor vehicle thefts in 2014.

Between 2003 and 2012, the number of vehicle thefts in a given year ranged from a high of nine thefts to a low of two thefts, with nine thefts reported in each of the years 2003, 2004, and 2005, and two thefts reported in 2012.

Historically, there has been a low incidence of motor vehicle theft locally.

There were no reports of arson having occurred in 2014.

The compilation also covers violent crime, including the categories of murder, rape, robbery, and serious assault.

There were no murders in 2014 or in 2013. Those statistics are in stark contrast to the 27 murders committed in 2012 by Adam Lanza.

The only other murders dating back to 2003 as listed in the statistics are one murder which was discovered in 2010 after having occurred 1984, and another murder which occurred in 2005.

Police received one report of rape during 2014, a crime that is on a downward trend when compared to two cases reported in 2013, four cases reported in 2012, and five cases reported in 2011.

The statistics show that police received no reports of robbery during 2014. The last robbery report received by police came in 2011, when three such crimes were reported.

During 2014, police received two reports of serious assault, which is the lowest incidence of that crime in the past six years inclusive.

Police report they received 1,397 burglar alarms during 2014, of which only three alarms represented actual burglaries occurring.

From 2007 through 2013, there had been a steady fall in the number of burglar alarms received, with the number of such incidents dropping from 1,883 in 2007 to 1,374 in 2013.

The Police Commission is pursuing making some changes to the town’s burglar alarm ordinance in seeking to reduce the number of false alarms to which police respond. The matter has been referred to the Legislative Council.

Vehicular Offenses

The statistics also list various motor vehicle violations that police enforce.  

During 2014, town police issued 3,095 “summonses” to motorists. That category includes misdemeanor summonses and infractions, police said. They also gave out 4,473 written warnings. Police did not provide statistics on verbal warnings.

In 2014, police arrested 69 motorists on charges of driving under the influence.

By comparison, in 2013 police issued 1,381 summonses and gave out 2,953 written warnings. They charged 62 drivers with DUI.

In 2012, police issued 2,977 summonses and gave out 5,452 written warnings. In that year, they charged 54 motorists with DUI.

From 2003 to 2014 inclusive, the single year which had the highest number of DUI arrests was 2006, when town police pressed such charges against 102 drivers. The lowest number of DUI arrests came in 2012, with 54 cases.

The town police department statistics do not include the various criminal and motor vehicle violations issued by the state police in Newtown. State police enforcement occurs in areas including Interstate 84, state-owned sections of Fairfield Hills, and Garner Correctional Institution.