Full Notification

Burlington Police have noted a sharp increase in break-ins to vehicles. Detail available at nixle.com or bpdvt.org

Date: December 8, 2009

Nature: Larcenies from Vehicles & Theft Prevention Information

Since November 1, 2009 the Burlington Police Department has investigated over 80 incidents in which vehicles have been broken into. This represents a significant increase from the norm. The primary target of theft is portable electronics such as Ipods or other digital music players and GPS systems. In many cases vehicles are unlocked. In others, car windows are broken after thieves see the items plainly visible through the window or infer that electronics are present because of the presence of charging cords plugged into the dashboard or left in plain view. Additional thefts of an identical nature have occurred on the UVM and Champlain College campuses.

Burlington Police are working with UVM Police, Champlain College Public Safety, and other agencies and have significant resources tasked with investigating and combating these thefts. We have a number of leads in these investigations that are being actively pursued. Anyone with information about these thefts may be eligible for significant cash rewards and is urged to contact Burlington Police at 658-2700.

Theft from and vandalism to vehicles resulting from attempted theft is almost completely preventable if the following safety rules are followed.

• Park in well lit and well traveled areas whenever possible.
• If storing packages in your car, which is not recommended, do so only very briefly and out of sight. Use the trunk, not the back seat.
• Do not leave personal items or valuables (specifically electronics or items that infer electronics may be present – such as charging cords) in your car, even momentarily.
• We strongly recommend that your vehicle be left completely empty.
• You MAY (on a case by case basis) choose to employ an added tactic to leave your car doors UNLOCKED if no items (including personal information such as paperwork) are left in your car OR choose to leave center consoles, glove boxes, and other compartments open so would-be thieves can see that they contain no valuables.

As holiday vacation season begins, police urge residents to observe safety precautions with regard to residences including:

o Lock ALL doors and windows. Use deadbolts.
o Store valuables and personal belongings out of sight, securely inside the residence.
o Draw all first floor shades or window treatments to prevent thieves from “window shopping.”
o Utilize timed lights and/or motion lights to deter thieves.
o Notify trusted neighbors of your travel plans.
o Arrange to have mail and other deliveries stopped or picked up.

For more information about crime prevention please visit the following websites or stop by the Burlington Police Station for a crime prevention brochure:

The Burlington Police Department – www.bpdvt.org – for our comprehensive crime prevention brochure

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) – Home of McGruff – the Crime Dog http://www.ncpc.org/

Crimestoppers – www.crimestoppers.org

Address/Location
Burlington, VT Police Department
1 North Ave
Burlington, VT 05401

Contact
Emergencies: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 802-658-2704