Burglaries On The Rise In Harford County
There have been significantly more burglaries within the past month when compared to the same period in 2011.
Photos
Police say there have been an increasing number of burglaries throughout Harford County this summer.
"We are seeing a trend in increases in burglaries, but we are not seeing a commonality," said Monica Worrell, a Harford County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.
The burglaries have taken place at different times and places throughout the county, not centering on any single area, Worrell said.
In some cases the culprit is someone the resident knows, such as a family member or acquaintance. In many cases, the burglaries take place at homes with unlocked windows or doors.
"It's more than likely a symptom of difficult financial times," Worrell said.
She added that often this type of crime is attached to those with drug problems who are looking for a quick way to get cash or drugs.
In most of the recent burglaries small, pawnable items have been stolen.
Between July 7 and Aug. 3, there were 51 burglaries in the southern part of the county—22 more than during the same period of time in 2011.
In the northern part of the county, there were 20 burglaries reported in that date range this year. Last year, there were eight in that area during the same time period.
Police encourage residents to lock their home and car doors and be on the lookout for any vehicles or people out of place in their neighborhoods.
"You see a car that looks out of place? Snap a picture," Worrell said.
A simple picture, she said, could be the piece of information that helps crack a case.
Terry
3:19 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
crack down on the addicts & crime will go down
kzk
3:27 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Absolutely...it's the burden of completing the circle. They use, they need, they steal. They steal, they use, they need.......
Christopher Kidwell
1:50 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012
Bull, Terry and kzk. The best way to stop things like this is to legalize the drug trade and using drugs for recreational purposes. Then, these people can actually get jobs (no more drug testing) and therefore won't have to steal.
The only thing that cracking down on the addicts will do is fill the streets with more blood. People are getting SERIOUSLY tired of being told what they can and cannot put into their own bodies today.
funnyguy
4:12 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
I take offense to the term "Pawnable". What is a pawnable item? A sought after item with a large market? Author is furthering a negative stereotype about pawn shops.
Kirsten Dize
1:29 pm on Sunday, August 12, 2012
"Pawnable items" was wording used by the police spokeswoman. I have noticed a pattern of small items that are easily carried, often electronics. From Ipods, to jewelry, GPS, video games, DVD players, laptop computers. I hope that helps clarify. -KD
S. A. F.
6:08 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Well what's the "good" things about pawn shops?
Barbara Wagner
7:50 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
SAF- the good things about Pawn shops: for every item they purchase or pawn from a customer, they obtain and confirm ID, and fill out extensive paperwork. If stolen goods are sold to a pawn shop or pawned, you are more likely to have the ability to track them and successfully prosecute if you are victimized by theft.
S. A. F.
10:11 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012
Alright, I buy that. I have heard of people reclaiming stolen items that thieves have sold to pawn shops. True. However, as a whole I try not to deal with pawn shops except for one or two I personally know. There's Debra in town who runs "The Glock Shop" who has been fair and equitable with me and Robin Hood pawn has been fair enough as well. Your point, however, is valid and I cannot argue it. But as with everything, Pawn shops sometimes do have their downsides. Like I said, Deb at "The Glock Shop" has been good to me and she's good people.
Otto Schmidlap
10:58 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012
Sorry funnyguy, but bad guys - certainly not all - in the pawn business have made this "negative stereotype" possible, perhaps to your detriment. By the way, a stereotype, simply put, is group observation over time. You can't just make up a stereotype out of thin air. For example, liberals tied themselves in knots attempting to falsely portray TEA Party members as a bunch of crude people who would spit on members of congress, leave behind piles of trash at their gatherings, etc. It didn't work because there wasn't an ounce of truth to it. (That would apply to the lovely "Occupy" crowd.)
S. A. F.
12:37 pm on Saturday, August 11, 2012
Sounds hypocritical.