West Cambridge Seeing Increase in Housebreaks and Larcenies from Motor Vehicles

The Cambridge Police Department is warning residents of an increase in larcenies from motor vehicles and a housebreak in a West Cambridge sector.

In the past month, at least six larcenies from motor vehicles (occurred on Coolidge Hill Road, Fresh Pond Lane, Larch Road and Larchwood Drive) and one housebreak (Fresh Pond Parkway) have been reported to the police. However, the police have since been notified of several additional larcenies that have not been reported.

The Cambridge Police Department urges residents to “see something, say something” and immediately report ANY crime, attempted crime or suspicious activity. Everyone in the neighborhood can make their area safer by being more vigilant. If you suspect suspicious activity around your home or in your neighborhood, please report it to the police immediately by calling 617-349-3300 or 9-1-1, if it’s an emergency.  

Cambridge Police have directed extra attention to this area, but are encouraging motorists and homeowners to take the following precautions to protect themselves and their belongings from theft:

• NEVER LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR CAR.
• Make sure all of your car doors are locked and windows are rolled up when leaving your vehicle, including when parked in a residential driveway.
• If you must leave packages or valuables in your car, place them in the trunk or under a blanket to conceal them, so that they are not exposed.
• ALWAYS lock your doors and windows at your home. Install guards on windows that prevent them from being raised more than a few inches.
• NEVER prop open a door or let someone in behind you if you live in an apartment building and don’t know them.
• Install motion sensor lights around your home and out of reach.

Additional tips to help you protect your vehicles and belongings from theft can be found at www.CambridgePolice.org/SafetyTips. For more information about crime in Cambridge, please reference the latest edition of BridgeStat located at www.CambridgePolice.org/BridgeStat.

To discuss this topic in greater detail and address any questions or concerns the community may have, the Cambridge Police Department will be hosting a community meeting later this month. Once details are finalized, a notice will be shared.  

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The Cambridge Police Department is committed to the enforcement of laws and preservation of order that protect the rights and property of every person within the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of police service and to impact crime, and its associated elements, through the utilization of new and proven crime prevention strategies and problem-solving partnerships with our community.  For more information, follow @CambridgePolice on Twitter, or access the department’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CambridgePolice.