Somerville Police Department - Somerville Massachusetts Police Department

Burglary Prevention for the Summer

Burglaries traditionally increase in Somerville during the summer months; residents stay out later, go on vacation, or leave their windows open during the day. Below are a few tips to prevent your home from being victimized: 1. Windows are more popular targets in the summer, as the plastic comes off & windows are left open for ventilation. A. To protect your windows, lock them AND use wooden dowels to secure the window OR use horizontal bars or through the frame nails to prevent the window from being fully opened; B. Never count on a screen or plastic tabs to deter a determined offender. Even regular locks can be defeated from the outside.

C. An air conditioning unit is the same as leaving a window open; reinforce these windows with dowels, or place them in windows that can't be accessed from the ground or a porch. 2. Assume that professional thieves are constantly looking for unoccupied homes to burglarize, usually from noon to midnight. If you are not home for a short period in the evening, consider leaving a light or electronic device on to give the appearance of occupancy. 3. Do not leave lawn furniture or other objects out that burglars could use to reach a 1st floor window.

Mark Your Property

1. Portable electronics are the most targeted item in burglaries. Register your electronics through the City's WRAP program (www.somervillema.gov/wrap-information) or acquire tracking software for your laptop, tablet or smart phone.

2. Consider giving your property unique markings (such as an engraving).

3. Photograph unique items (such as jewelry) to aid in identification & recovery.

Be Vigilant

1. If you leave for an extended period, ask your neighbors or a friend to watch your house; have them deliver mail or leave their car in the driveway.

2. If you see a suspicious person entering multiple backyards or driveways, or a person or vehicle "casing" an area, do not hesitate to call the police.

3. Call the police IMMEDIATELY if your house has been burglarized; the burglar may still be in the area.

Long Term Solutions

1. Consider adding external cameras or a dedicated security system to your residence; burglars usually give such homes a pass, or they are more likely to be caught through video evidence.

2. Make the sides of your house more visible from the street; trim overgrown bushes/hedges & remove other obstacles.

Public Notice

Public Notice

The City of Somerville is eligible to receive a direct award of $23,562 from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant issued by the Office of Justice Programs of the U. S. Department of Justice. 

Funding from this grant can only be used for improving aspects of our local criminal justice system.  It is the intention of the Police Department to use the Justice Assistance Grant to improve our criminal investigation capabilities as well as the training and safety of our officers in the line of duty. 

Comments may be e-mailed to  pupton@police.somerville.ma.us or mailed to the Somerville Police Department, 220 Washington Street, Somerville, MA. 02143, Attention: Deputy Chief Paul Upton, on or before July 8, 2013. 

Emergency Preparedness Training Today

Today, June 4^th, Tufts University will conduct an emergency preparedness training exercise with the cities of Somerville and Medford, the Cambridge Health Alliance, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Beginning at 8 a.m., you may notice an increase in the number of police, fire, and emergency vehicles on the Tufts campus. You may also see ambulances transporting volunteers posing as patients to Somerville Hospital. All activities will be simulated. No actual hazards or chemicals will be used. Emergency vehicles taking part in the training will not use lights or sirens. The exercise is scheduled to end at noon, but emergency vehicles will be on campus into the afternoon while participants review the exercise. Portions of streets on campus will be closed, including Talbot Avenue, Lower Campus Road, and Latin Way. All city streets will remain open.

For more information, visit http://emergency.tufts.edu.