By Tom Jordan
Two break-ins, seven attempts
The rash of home burglaries that plagued the village throughout the summer flared again recently, according to Rockville Centre Police.
Lt. James E. Kraemer reported that two burglaries took place in the wee hours of the morning on Friday, October 6, while most of Rockville Centre slept, and that several other attempts were unsuccessful.
The first incident occurred sometime between 11 P.M. and 4:50 A.M. that Friday, police said. Someone climbed through an unlocked rear window of a house on Harvard Avenue and rummaged through the kitchen. No loss was reported.
A home on Amherst Court, just blocks from the first incident, was the site of another break-in, when a burglar again entered through an unsecured back window. Approximately $20 was stolen from a pocketbook, according to the victim.
On the same night, at least seven other attempted burglaries took place in Rockville Centre, Lt. Kraemer said. All took place in the same general area -- the eastern portion of the village, near Hempstead South Pond.
"There were several other instances of screens being removed, alarms going off, and so on," Lt. Kraemer said. "Burglaries were prevented in several cases simply because people had locked their windows."
In addition, four cars were broken into, and an attempted break-in failed.
Although Lt. Kraemer could not put a figure on attempted burglaries so far this year, he acknowledged there has been a problem.
"They've struck again. We've been plagued this past year," he said. "And it's not just in Rockville Centre, but in Baldwin and Freeport, too. Whether it's one perpetrator or several, we don't know, but the vast majority of the burglaries have taken place in the early morning, with the burglar entering through the kitchen."
Lt. Kraemer said that such robberies particularly concern the police, because they occur when residents are home, presumably asleep. He expressed concern that a confrontation could result if a resident were aroused from sleep.
Three weeks ago, an armed burglar who broke into two homes and held people hostage was apprehended near Village Avenue. Police had hoped that his capture would deter any further burglaries in the area.
This past summer, the Rockville Centre Police Department sent letters to village residents instructing them how to better secure their homes, with reminders to lock windows, install lights and trim hedges. Perhaps because of the proactive measures of the community, the criminal activity eased for a while. But it seemed to return all at once on the morning of October 6.
"The challenge is great," said Wayne Lipton, a village trustee. "The single biggest factor will be how the residents handle the situation. Whereas one letter was sent out this summer, perhaps we need to increase that campaign of information. It will be difficult to convince 5,000 homeowners to be more cautious when they haven't particularly needed to be until recently, but they have to realize that burglary is a crime of opportunity. We have to take steps to reduce those opportunities.
"I know that the administration is well aware of this problem, and is doing everything in its power to dissuade these burglaries and catch the culprits. The police will be given whatever tools the situation demands. Ultimately, the safety and security of our residents is paramount."
Lt. Kraemer agreed: "It's tough to catch a burglar, but we'll get them."
