Brighton Chief of Police Mark Henderson is reaching out to residents and neighborhood associations in response to what he says is a recent uptick of criminal activity in the town.
For 2012 year-to-date, there has been a 45-percent increase in burglaries, compared to the same time frame last year, Henderson reported. So far in July, he said, there have been 13 burglaries to residences and nine to commercial establishments.
Among them was a burglary on July 20 at 12 Corners Mobil. Salvatore Latone, 39, of Rochester, was charged with third-degree burglary for allegedly breaking a glass door at the establishment and stealing lighters.
Henderson added, “there has been an alarming trend we’ve detected of residential burglaries during the overnight hours when people are in their homes.”
The common denominator in the incidents has been that windows and doors have been left open or unlocked, with only the screens.
Vehicle larcenies have increased 17 percent so far this year, compared to 2011, said Henderson. In the past one-week period, there have been 24 such incidents. In all of them, he said, the vehicle doors were unlocked.
“We’re trying to get a handle on this,” Henderson said, adding that the crimes haven’t targeted a specific area of the town.
The police department has responded with increased patrols and dedicating additional staff, and is working with law enforcement throughout the area. It is also reaching out to residents and neighborhood associations.
Among the tips Henderson offered were shutting and locking first-floor windows and doors and removing valuables from vehicles and locking them. He suggested that if your home is broken into while you are inside, to try to find a phone and call 911.
Residents can stay informed about recent criminal activity in the police department’s weekly blotter on the town of Brighton website, www.townofbrighton.org.
Henderson also suggested that anyone with questions or concerns contact him at (585) 784-5101 or mark.henderson@townofbrighton.org.
Brighton Chief of Police Mark Henderson is reaching out to residents and neighborhood associations in response to what he says is a recent uptick of criminal activity in the town.
For 2012 year-to-date, there has been a 45-percent increase in burglaries, compared to the same time frame last year, Henderson reported. So far in July, he said, there have been 13 burglaries to residences and nine to commercial establishments.
Among them was a burglary on July 20 at 12 Corners Mobil. Salvatore Latone, 39, of Rochester, was charged with third-degree burglary for allegedly breaking a glass door at the establishment and stealing lighters.
Henderson added, “there has been an alarming trend we’ve detected of residential burglaries during the overnight hours when people are in their homes.”
The common denominator in the incidents has been that windows and doors have been left open or unlocked, with only the screens.
Vehicle larcenies have increased 17 percent so far this year, compared to 2011, said Henderson. In the past one-week period, there have been 24 such incidents. In all of them, he said, the vehicle doors were unlocked.
“We’re trying to get a handle on this,” Henderson said, adding that the crimes haven’t targeted a specific area of the town.
The police department has responded with increased patrols and dedicating additional staff, and is working with law enforcement throughout the area. It is also reaching out to residents and neighborhood associations.
Among the tips Henderson offered were shutting and locking first-floor windows and doors and removing valuables from vehicles and locking them. He suggested that if your home is broken into while you are inside, to try to find a phone and call 911.
Residents can stay informed about recent criminal activity in the police department’s weekly blotter on the town of Brighton website, www.townofbrighton.org.
Henderson also suggested that anyone with questions or concerns contact him at (585) 784-5101 or mark.henderson@townofbrighton.org.
