Cops: Car breaks on rise in Lynn

LYNN – Car break-ins hit a high point for the year with 47 logged by police in July and another 47 to date this month, prompting police to urge extra vigilance on the part of drivers.”These break-ins have occurred in multiple neighborhoods throughout the city and efforts are currently underway to apprehend those responsible,” Police Lt. William Sharpe said.An Item review of Police Department car break statistics listed 35 breaks in January, dropping to a year low point of 14 in February before climbing back up to the July and August high points. Several areas in the city are concentrated areas for breaks including Ontario and Woodlawn streets, Union Street, side streets off Franklin Street and the Ocean Street area.The Police Department recommends drivers take extra precautions to avoid motor vehicle breaks and thefts at a time when vehicle break-ins during late night and early morning hours are on the rise.Sharpe said vehicle owners should take the following measures to minimize breaks:Lock doors and close windows – a majority of the vehicle theft cases currently being investigated by the Lynn Police involve parked cars that were unlocked in the owner’s driveway or on the street.Remove valuables from sight – a significant proportion of the recent thefts have involved expensive portable electronic devices such as GPS units, laptop computers, MP3 players and cell phones. Portable electronics should be removed from the vehicle or secured in the trunk. At a minimum, they should be covered up and kept out of view.Park in well lit areas if possible.Eliminate tell tale signs – thieves are looking for valuables and will break into vehicles that they think have valuables in them. Don’t leave an empty GPS mount on the dash or windshield. Even ring smudges on windshields tip off thieves to the possibility of a GPS unit located in the vehicle.Power cables and charges are another tell tale sign that expensive electronics are most likely inside the vehicle. Unplug chargers and remove the suction cup rings from the windshield. Many companies make bean bag type mounts for GPS units, which leave no tell tale signs and can be quickly removed from sight.Beyond this, the Lynn Police are asking that city residents remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or behavior to the police at 781-595-2000.