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Criminals are going holiday shopping

By Will Yakowicz
The Brooklyn Paper

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Burglars are going holiday shopping early this year in Williamsburg and Bushwick, with burglaries up 22 percent this year — and 36 percent over the last two years — in the neighborhoods’ 90th Precinct

Cops say that the crooks are jacking small, mobile, and expensive items that are easy to carry so that the thieves avoid looking conspicuous. The booty stolen over the last year has been mostly jewelry, laptops, iPods, and cameras.

Waterford on the Bay

So far this year, there have been 384 reported burglaries, up from 315 through the same date last year.

Overall, major crime is down 9.6 percent throughout the precinct, including a 25-percent drop in robbery.

The cause for the boost in breakins is partly the recession, but mostly tenants’ laziness, said Thomas Brown, the precinct’s crime prevention officer.

“We’re seeing unlocked doors, windows, and air conditioners being removed to gain access to a person’s home,” said Brown. “No matter how long you’ll be gone, lock your doors and windows.”

Tenants maybe “lazy,” but crooks can be creative. Last week, one thief used a hot dog cart to boost him through a window.

Many others have used the fire escape.

“You need to be detailed oriented,” Brown said. “If you see a Dumpster under your fire escape, move it. You need to protect your house yourself.”

©2009 Community Newspaper Group

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Reader Feedback

Hopper from Los Sures says:
What percentage of the people being burglarized are young, "care-free" post graduate newbies?
I say, upwards of 80%
Oct. 30, 2009, 9:12 am
Goyo from Los Sures says:
BP should print some Urban Jungle Survival tips for all these hipsters moving into Williamsburg. Start with window locks and gates.
Nov. 2, 2009, 6:21 pm

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