Petty Thieves In Milford On The Rise

Recently I wrote an article that violent crimes in Milford are down dramatically in the wake of a 2008 population increase of nearly 3,000 people over the last five years. But in the area of petty crime, or "Property Crime" as it is listed in the Trulia graph above, Milford is a bit challenged, and fares at a level that is quite honestly very high.

On two occasions I had the opportunity to speak with a police officer about this very issue, and what he reported was mostly thievery by young adults on the prowl.

Most complaints that involve a property crime are the result of our own failure to lock our cars, close our garages, or secure our personal valubles. A great many cases of theft, for example, occur because kids see things in cars they think are valuable.

Unlocked cars are easy targets, and a thief can grab your purse, wallet, or laptop computer by simply opening up the door. By the time the police arrive, other than looking for fingerprints, there is often not much they can do to get the stolen items back.

What the Police Department recommends is for people to assist them in reducing the numbers of crimes. Our part is real simple, "lock your car," "Close your garage," and "Do not leave your valuables laying around in public places." Business owners can put up a sign in their parking lots reminding people to "please lock their cars while unattended." If we all take this approach and spread the word to our family members, we as a community can make a difference in bringing down our crime statistics.

With the economy teetering, and unemployment rising these crimes of opportunity are going to become more prevalent as the "have nots" will continue to target those who "have."

These are unfortunate times, and when people hit their lows strange things can happen. My mother-in-law who lives in Florida once told me that after the last devastating hurricane people were all very nice for about the first three days. After not being able to get the basics they needed for survival she witnessed even the nicest neighbors get downright "mean" as she put it.

Crime, and the "meanness" of theft, is now becoming a fact of life during the present economic onslaught and its induced trials and tribulations. We as a community need to do our part by simply taking greater care in securing our personal property. Again, please inform your family and friends that they can do their part in deterring crime by just following the above police advice.