Crime & Safety
November Saw Spike in Vehicle Breaks
Some crimes decrease in November, but thieves still couldn't resist parked cars.
It looks like there was a lot of activity on Santa's naughty list last month.
In the Town Manager's report this week were the local crime stats for November. And the glaring highlight was the jump in motor vehicle breaks compared with the month before.
Motor vehicle breaks saw a 280 percent increase from October to November, with five in October and 19 in November. Home breaks saw a 200 percent increase, but that was from one in October to three in November.
"Although the numbers are still relatively low, the amount of B&E's and motor vehicle B&E's continues to affect the town," North Andover Police Chief Paul Gallagher wrote in his report to Town Manager Andrew Maylor.
The department has stepped up the fight against vehicle breaks by strategically placing unmanned cruisers around town to show more of a police presence.
"This tactic has worked in the past and our hope is that it continues," Gallagher wrote.
Total arrests in November were 32, up 68 percent from 19 in October.
On the good news side, violent crimes like assault and battery saw a decrease from October to November.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
