Crime & Safety

Hingham Police Urge Residents to Secure Homes and Keep Holiday Gifts Safe

While you're away for the holidays, police are recommending using timers for lights, canceling your mail or newspaper delivery and more.

The Hingham Police Department is asking residents to secure their homes this holiday season after a number of break-ins were reported in past years between Thanksgiving Day to New Years.

Last year, Hingham had 14 housebreaks in November and December and police don’t want the same crimes to occur this year. Two years ago, a family on Cushing Street left on Christmas Eve for an evening church service and returned home less than three hours later to find their rear slider smashed and numerous items stolen, police said.

“One reason homes may become more vulnerable during the holiday season are people are away visiting and traveling, away shopping or attending holiday related events,” Hingham Police Sgt. Steven Dearth said in a press release.  “Also, consider that during this time many people are bringing high value gifts into their homes to give as gifts.”

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Police said the most common item stolen in housebreaks include laptops, iPods, smart phones, flat screen TV’s, medication, change, cash, and jewelry.

To avoid break-ins, police ask residents to never alert you are away from the home on social media sites, and consider leaving a car outside the garage to make it appear someone may be home.

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Police also recommend using timers for lights, canceling your mail or newspaper delivery,  telling a trusted friend or neighbor when you are away, filling out a “Closed House” form at the police station to alert officers patrolling your neighborhood that your house is vacant

Hingham police are also asking shoppers to not leave valuables in their cars.

“Common places where cars are broken into are places where thieves know you will be gone for an extended period of time such as the movie theatre, fitness center, commuter boat & train parking areas, restaurants, parks sporting games, and shopping centers,” Hingham police said.

For more information on how to keep your property safe, contact the Hingham Police Department at (781) 749-1212.


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