CPD sees decrease in burglaries during spring break
The reported burglaries were concentrated in southern Columbia.
Published April 6, 2010
Columbia saw a decrease in spring break burglaries this year, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jessie Haden said. Since midnight on the first Saturday of break, CPD received reports of nine vehicular larcenies and seven burglaries, Haden said.
"It's less than average in Columbia during any given week and fewer than last year's break," she said.
MU Police Department Capt. Brian Weimer said his department didn't see any unusual activity last week. There was no increase in any type of crime, he said. MUPD's incident log for the first Saturday of break through the last contained two reports of stealing. One of the crimes occurred during the break and the other occurred the Thursday before.
Before break, CPD and MUPD tried to curb burglaries by offering crime prevention tips on their respective Web sites.
CPD officers in marked and unmarked patrol cars were specifically dedicated to looking for suspicious activity. Volunteers also helped in the department's efforts. Before break, CPD held an engraving day, during which residents could bring their valuables to have them engraved.
Haden said those efforts are likely related to the decrease in burglaries.
"I think it's a combination of two things," she said. "We were on the lookout, and people knew we were on the lookout. People were also more careful when they left for break."
The burglaries were concentrated in southern parts of Columbia with only two occurring in the northeast section of town, Haden said. Two of these burglaries were on Buttonwood Drive and one on Grindstone Parkway. Haden said those locations could house students.
Haden said CPD could receive more calls Monday night from people who had noticed something when they got home late Sunday night and didn't get the chance to report it until after work.
The decrease in burglaries during this spring break is in stark contrast to the 21 break-ins that were reported in student housing on Christmas Eve 2009. CPD welcomed the change.
"We're really pleased," Haden said.