Police see burglary spike during Thanksgiving Break

More than 20 burglaries were reported in the last week.

By Jimmy Hibsch

Published Nov. 30, 2010

Following a high number of burglary reports over Thanksgiving Break, the Columbia Police Department is encouraging all homeowners to take precautionary measures to prepare for winter break.

The department took 24 burglary reports over the span of Thanksgiving break, from Nov. 19 to Monday, CPD spokeswoman Jessie Haden said in an e-mail. Of those reports, 18 occurred between Wednesday, Nov. 24 and Monday, Nov. 29.

She said in several of the later reports, the back doors of residences were kicked in, and electronics were stolen.

"We believe several will be related," Haden said.

As police were responding to an alarm for an attempted break-in at The Cottages of Columbia housing complex, they received a call from another tenant. This caller, also an employee of the property, said someone tried to break into her apartment door as she was checking on the first call. She said she saw the man from the window, causing him to duck and flee.

Haden said the case is still under investigation, and no new information had been uncovered as of Monday.

The incident at the Cottages is just one of several cases involving attempted intrusions of student property, Haden said.

"All of the burglary investigations that are recent are still on-going, and I don't have all the specific addresses yet, but the most recent 24 happened mostly in the northeast and southeast parts of town," Haden said. "Not exclusively student housing areas, though."

As winter break approaches, Haden encourages all students to take steps to ensure their homes aren't broken into.

Besides locking all doors and windows, she said to have a trusted friend or neighbor check on the home every day, picking up mail, packages and flyers. She also suggested having that person walk through any snow, to appear as if someone has been leaving the house.

CPD's website also has a security evaluation and an inventory form, as well as additional prevention tips, she said.