Falls Twp. Police Officials Discuss Recent Spike In Burglaries, Thefts

Lt. Hank Ward of the Falls Township Police Department had important words for residents Thursday night during a town hall meeting – “Don’t ever hesitate to call us, you’re not inconveniencing us.”

Ward spoke in response to a recent spike in home burglaries within the township, a spike which caused Chief William Wilcox and various members of the force to hold a town hall meeting to talk with residents of safety precautions and actions being taken by the department.

According to the department, 2015 has seen a increase of 17 theft from automobile incidents, a decrease of 12 retail thefts and an increase of 20 burglaries from last year.

Police noted from January 1 to July 6 of this year the township has been plagued with 58 thefts from automobiles, 69 retail thefts and 61 burglaries. On the residents’ radar are the numerous burglaries of homes throughout the township, an issue which Wilcox said are “all related”. While there could be numerous reasons for the burglaries, Wilcox noted that “heroin is a tremendous problem right now” throughout the area. Many of the home burglaries have been incidents where purses or valuables were left in sight, a common tactic used by desperate drug users looking to pawn stolen items for cash.

Lt. Ward noted to the packed crowd Thursday evening that five people, including a juvenile, have been arrested in association with the crimes. Lt. Ward isn’t certain Falls police have caught them all, but he noted a complete lack of night-time home burglaries since July 2.

“My wife and kids are nervous. I was born and raised in Levittown and we left our doors and windows open; we want to be able to do that [again],” Pat Hunt, a resident of the Willowood section, said.

Lt. Nelson Whitney said residents doing just that is prompting burglars to seize the opportunity. Whitney noted a real deterrent for burglars is keeping all blinds and curtains drawn at night and when no one is home. “Burglars feel uncomfortable going into a home they can’t see inside,” he said. “By and large, burglaries are occurring by people that live in our communities or neighboring communities.”

Through social media, Falls residents have taken a stance in favor of protecting themselves and their family shall a burglar pick their home as their next victim. Residents have claimed they’ll use their dog or even firearms, taking matters into their own  hands against any uninvited guests.

“If someone comes uninvited, you can protect yourselves how you see fit,” Ward said to a visibly pleased crowd. “You are justified to use force to protect your life or someone else’s, but it’s a big decision,” Whitney added.

Falls police encouraged residents to contact Whitney in an effort to start additional town watches which could help act as police eyes and ears throughout the various sections of the township. “We’re using every tool in our toolbox right now,” said Wilcox. “But we need your help, you guys are our best tools.”

Currently town watches exist in the Pennwood Crossing and Breezy Acres mobile home parks and the Thornridge section of the township. To contact Lt. Whitney about starting a town watch in your Falls Township community, click here. 

Lt. Whitney also noted to residents that members of the community policing unit will gladly check security measures currently being used at homes throughout the township.

Residents, in addition to locking their cars and homes and covering all windows, should take down serial numbers and photographs of expensive valuables kept inside. “So many residents don’t know what they own,” Chief Wilcox said.

The town hall meeting, which residents and officials stated was a success, could be held every several months by Falls to help promote communication and education across the township, according to the chief of police.

“Our doors are open 24/7, there is always someone to talk to you. We are here to keep you safe,” said Wilcox.