Greenburgh police: We're closing in on Edgemont burglars
By REBECCA BAKER
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: November 13, 2007)
GREENBURGH - Detectives think they have a break in a rash of burglaries that has plagued the Edgemont community this year, Police Chief John Kapica said yesterday.
Since interviewing one suspect and others found acting suspiciously in the area, stepping up patrols and raising awareness among homeowners, Kapica said, the number of Edgemont burglaries has dropped to zero. The last was at a home on Thomas Street a month ago today.
"They know we know who they are," Kapica said.
Greenburgh is working with New York City police to charge the suspect, a 28-year-old Port Chester man, with pawning a golf-themed tie pin and cufflinks in the Bronx that were reported stolen from a home on Edgemont Road.
"The possession of stolen property happened in New York City," Kapica said. "We can't charge him up here."
Kapica said the suspect is facing attempted burglary charges in Yonkers as well as federal charges in an unrelated crime.
Two other men were found on Clayton Road last month sitting in a parked car. Both men are on parole for burglary, Kapica said.
When approached by police, the passenger showed a false driver's license and was arrested. Kapica is pursuing charges against the driver for associating with a known felon - a parole violation.
The progress on the investigation was welcome news to Robert Bernstein, president of the Edgemont Community Council.
"We're relieved that the police have done such an excellent job in pursuing this," he said. "The crime wave unnerved so many of our residents."
Since April, burglars hit 20 homes and two businesses in the Edgemont section of town. The thieves stole cash, jewelry and other items from 17 homes; burglar alarms scared off would-be thieves at the other three homes.
The burglars entered some of the homes by smashing the glass of a window, patio door or sliding kitchen door, police said. All the break-ins happened at night.
In eight of the homes, the thieves entered through unlocked doors or windows, Kapica said. At one home, the thief walked in through a sliding door left ajar. Several burglarized homes had alarm systems that were never turned on.
Kapica met with more than 100 residents last month to discuss the rash of break-ins. The meeting followed a robo-call to more than 1,400 Edgemont residents telling them about the problem and to urge them to keep indoor lights, radios or televisions on a timer.
Kapica said residents have listened to his advice.
"Now, when you drive through Edgemont at night, it's really lit up," he said. "Burglars don't like to be illuminated."
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10 comments:
i think illumination may be illusory protection - illumination allows the burglar to see what they are doing.
alarm systems are probably a better bet.
Actually, according to a recent article in the New Yorker about lighting technology, the best system is motion activated lights. Bright exposed lights on all night actually give a burglar cover since the glare blinds observers.
Traveling thru some of the streets in Yonkers one can see a different kind of street lighting.
I inquired as to what the lights were referred to and I wastold they were called anti crime since they are much brighter.
Our street lights seem to be a little too dull.How about checking into this system.
the problem with very bright street lights is they light up the rooms in your house
its a tradeoff
Yes it is a trade off. I think well lit streets are a great way to help the homeowners and let the burglars think twice.That.s the problem with Greenburgh,when we had the chance to put electrical and telephone wires in the ground the residents said no.because they liked the country look.
If we ask for more and better lighting it will shine in peoples windows.
We cannot have the best of two worlds.
When did we have the chance to put electrical and telephone wires underground?
When some of the areas were hooking up to the sewer system.
Since the streets were opened residentsw were asked if they also wanted gas brought in,the answers were hell no.
Con edison representatives sent out a survey as to how many people were in favor PS the sewers were put in and the poles are still up.
Thanks,very interesting. Was this in the recent past? After the last couple of years with unusually bad weather and lots of lines and trees down some folks, given another chance, might change their minds...
Can I ask a question ? Why are the taxes for the Hartsdale Fire Department so high ?
They dont even respond to EMS calls ???
Anyone ???
Question for Hal Samis
Do you think it is wasteful for the Police Dept, to train officers to be like firefighters when the firefighters are already trained?
Is this duplication of service?
Also to answer your question, I think the police work 0 days a year. They might be on duty for 250 days a year but I've never seen them do any work. lo
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