Slight crime rise in Port Washington this autumn

Luke Torrance
Port Washington Police Department Headquarters on Port Washington Blvd. (Photo courtesy of Port Washington Police)

From the beginning of August through the start of November there has been a slight rise in crime in Port Washington, according to the Port Washington Police Department.

There were burglaries at four residences, several larcenies from cars and a stolen vehicle from Aug. 1 through Nov. 4.

“It is a slight uptick, but it’s not really something where we have to be overly concerned,” said Port Washington Police Chief James Salerno.

The first burglary occurred on Derby Road, around the corner from Port Washington’s police station, between Aug. 26 and 28. There was no forcible entry and jewelry was stolen.

On Oct. 16, there was a burglary on Davis Avenue. At approximately 2 a.m., three or four subjects entered the house and confronted the male homeowner. A weapon was displayed and property was taken.

Salerno said the department believes that the home was targeted for a reason and that this burglary is unconnected to the others. He declined to elaborate and said that the investigation was ongoing.

“It’s not something that happens all the time,” he added. “This happened for other reasons.”

The third burglary occurred two days later on North Plandome Road. Forcible entry was made sometime between 11:45 a.m. and 3:50 p.m., and property was stolen from the residence.

A house in Baxter Estates was subject to two burglaries between Oct. 25 and Nov. 3. During the burglaries the residents were present and the doors were unlocked. Police said the burglaries on those dates occurred between 9:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.

On Oct. 15 at approximately 3:20 a.m., a vehicle was stolen from Reid Avenue.

During this period, there were several cases of larceny around the district where objects were stolen from unlocked cars. Salerno said that these incidents  occurred in the areas around Bayview, Davis and Reid avenues but added that all residents should be diligent in locking their cars and keeping belongings out of their cars.

“The larcenies from vehicles happen all over the county,” he said. “Sometimes we get a rash of them, when they hit a couple days in a row. We’ll increase patrols when it happens, but it’s kind of hard to predict and people don’t always report it.”

In the most recent crime statistics report provided by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Port Washington Police Department reported nine burglaries and 95 property crimes in 2016. Those were the lowest numbers for burglaries in the police district since 2012 and for property crimes since 2009.

In a news release, Salerno encouraged residents to ensure that their windows and doors were locked, to leave a light on in the evening and recommended having a security system installed to prevent burglaries.

“Port Washington is a relatively safe community,” Salerno wrote. “But we need your help. If you see something suspicious, such as someone you don’t recognize on your neighbor’s property, call 911.”

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