Local Police Reacting to Lawrence Crime Surge [Poll]

Amid a surge in violence seen in neighboring Lawrence, the is taking extra precautions to keep that violence from spreading into town.

Police Chief Paul Gallagher said he has met with District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett's office as well as North Andover Police supervisors and sergeants to strategize the best ways to stay on top of crime that may be creeping in from Lawrence.

"Most of our officers come from North Andover and take ownership of being part of the community," Gallagher said.

Inferno

Last month, Jose L. Tejeda, 30, was charged with murdering his girlfriend Milka Rivera, 39, and her two teenage children, Sachary and Maxeriel Montanez. This was just one of several violent crimes reported in the city in recent months, and the city has also seen a huge spike in violence at bars and night clubs.

The violence this year in Lawrence seems to follow a trend. In 2010, Lawrence had an increase in violent crimes from the year before -- with 631 violent crimes reported, 10  of which were murder. By comparison, North Andover only reported seven violent crimes in 2010.

North Andover did, however, see an increase in property crime in 2010. And the North Andover Police log shows that many local property crimes -- shoplifting, car break-ins, burglaries, etc. -- result in arrests of Lawrence residents. That trend has continued in 2011, and that has local law enforcement keeping their guard up.

Containment

One strategy local police are using is increased traffic patrol near the Lawrence border.

"We have traffic enforcement team plus officers assigned to this particular sector," Gallagher said, adding that police have been stopping cars with no registration or inspection stickers as much as possible, since criminals may be driving without either. "Our traffic enforcement has a lot to do with keeping [would-be criminals] from coming to North Andover."

Another strategy has been battling shoplifting. Kohl's Department Store and Market Basket, both in the plaza on the Lawrence border, report frequent shoplifting incidents, and most of the time the accused are from Lawrence.

"In the North Andover Mall, we encourage Market Basket and Kohl's to call us, and we will make the arrest, and generally that’s a deterrent," Gallagher said.

Accused shoplifters must also sign paperwork declaring that they are now classified as trespassers.

With house break-ins, police detectives aggressively pursue leads and check pawn shops right away.

Gallagher said he is also in constant communication with Lawrence Police and Lawrence Police Chief John Romero, who is stepping up efforts in Lawrence to battle violence.

"I'm very happy to hear that Chief Romero is getting some of his staff back," Gallagher said.

Neighborhood Watch

The most important part of the effort, Gallagher said, lies with residents.

"We're talking to our neighborhood watch people, and they’re reporting things, which is fantastic," he said.

Local neighborhood watch meetings promote vigilence among residents as well as open communication with law enforcement. Neighborhood watch captains have been very proactive as well.

Gallagher advises residents to contact their neighborhood watch block captains and become involved.