Above: If leaving your home empty for a prolonged time, consider asking the police department to have a patrol car swing by periodically. (Photo by Susan Fitzgerald)
If you’re heading out of town soon (or are already gone) you may want to take advantage of an offer by Southborough Police. The SPD allows travelling residents to ask for a periodic check of your home. Here’s a link to the form.
In some years, a spike of burglaries occured over summer months in town. The checks are meant to help prevent that. Another tool the SPD relies on is its “Community Policing” philosophy which asks residents to say something if they think they see something:
The Southborough Police Department is committed to the tenets of Community Policing and ascribes to Sir Robert Peel’s belief that, “The police are the community and the community are the police.” To that end, the Department has developed many initiatives designed to mitigate crime and improve the quality of life for the residents of Southborough. . .
Community policing also involves the residents of the Town, letting us know what problems may exist in your neighborhood. From house breaks to traffic concerns, different neighborhoods may have different issues. We encourage our residents to contact the police department to let us know what they are. “If you see something, say something.”
In a past summer, Chief Kennet Paulhus issued a warning and tips that included:
Please report any suspicious persons, vehicles, or activity to the Police Department at (508) 485-2121.
Anyone leaving their residence unoccupied for a period of time should have a neighbor alert for activity on the property, and submit a request for periodic checks by the Police. Make sure all points of entry are securely locked. . .
Further information can be obtained in the Burglary Prevention Guide posted on the Department website.
Click here for the Burglary Prevention Guide from the SPD website
I get bothered by the number of solicitors we get here in town. I have never liked the idea of a stranger going door to door and getting a look at my home. I never open the door unless I know the person. Its too risky to open the door to a stranger.
We had the chance to eliminate all solicitors a few years back at town meeting but it didn’t pass. Perhaps we could revisit that. Some of these solicitors are a little aggressive and it can be unsettling to older citizens of our town. I don’t answer the door either.