Chief Richard Wells, Deputy Chief Charlie Paris, and Lt. Detective Bill West gave the public an update on the recent rash of home break-ins and car thefts that have occurred here in Milton to approximately 50 people at the Council on Aging. The message they delivered is consistent with what has been stated at the previous two sessions they held. Lock up and be vigilant. In his concluding remarks Chief Wells reiterated, “Please don’t be afraid to call us. . . We’re not immune to crime . . .[and] an informed citizenry is the best weapon in the world.”

Following is information that can help.

While there were several recently along the Eliot Street corridor, he robberies have taken place all over town.

The police shared photos and brief profiles of suspects. They range in age, ethnicity, and come from all over the Boston area. One of the suspects arrested came from Lynn, another from Brockton. Other were from Dorchester and some are local to town. Two of the suspects who they are looking to identify were seen at the Capen Street station. The police will not publish these photos on the web as they do not want to compromise the investigation, however, they will share the photos. If you live in the Capen, Eliot street area, stop by the station.

Call the police when you see suspicious activity or suspect something funny. The officers mentioned that thieves will often use “disarming” remarks when accidently confronted. (e.g. “I was admiring your front porch.” or “I am looking for Sammy. I must have wrong house.”)

If using a cell phone call the police directly at 617-698-1212. This is their direct line. The way 911 works with a cell phone is that the call gets routed to a center in Framingham. Calling direct can save time. This is not the case when dialing 911 from a landline. Do not hesitate to call – “9 out of 10 times, it will not matter. But then there is that one time that will,” said Wells. Call.

Lock your home, your garage, and your car. Most home break-ins are during the day. “When you are at work, they are at work,” noted Paris. They typically enter through the back or side of a house through an unlocked entrance. “These are crimes of opportunity.” Paris noted that “outside audibles” worked best in terms of home alarm protection. That is, alarms that make a lot of noise vs those that silently notify the police. Paris said, “I’m amazed at what they can do in 2 minutes.” Something like 150 out of 157 car thefts were in unlocked vehicles.

Get to know your neighbors. Watch out for each other and communicate when you are going to be out-of-town.

Give your house the appearance that someone is home. Turn on a light, radio, or television. Thieves very rarely enter a home they believe to be occupied.

If you have a gun, put it in a safe and bolt the safe to the floor. “Guns are gold, ” said Chief Wells and thieves have been known to pick up a safe and walk out with it.

What is behind the thefts? Drugs. Oxycontin is highly addictive and very expensive (~$80 per 80 mg pill – three a day is $240 a day.) “It is an expensive habit to fuel.” And if a user cannot afford it, he or she will likely turn to heroin. The police are not blind to the tragedy. Wells said, “You’d be surprised who uses” People from all walks of life. And when it takes place, it alters individual lives and the lives of families forever. This is coupled with a poor economy. Thieves target gold, which is trading high, and there are an increasing number of pawn shops popping up. Thieves also will sell direct on street corners.

Car thefts take place mostly at night, mostly local and mostly from thieves on foot.

There have been 54 B&Es since January of 2011. Fourteen of the 54 have been cleared. Cleared cases do not include cases for which a suspect has been identified but not apprehended. This is slightly down from 57 in 2010. There were 13 in September which was a spike. They average 4- 6 a month.

There will be a meeting in the next week or so with resients of Capen, Rock View, & Eliot. Call the MPD for more information or, if you are a Facebook user, “like” them on Facebook. The police regularly use Facebook to braodcast updates adn information in the public interest.