Hard times leaving thieves hard up for cash?

By Nathalie Moskal

SOMERVILLE—During the early morning hours of Sept. 19, two men robbed eight local businesses before police arrested them.

The same week, police received 13 more reports of break-ins.

Somerville has recently seen an uncharacteristic amount of breaking and entering incidents. Breaking and entering crimes have increased 11 percent as a whole since 2007, said Frank Bates, a crime analyst at the Somerville Police Depart

ment.

Specifically, there have been 68 break-ins at businesses so far this year, a 58 percent increase from the 43 at this time last year, Bates said.

House break-ins are up 3 percent, with 271 occurrences this year and 262 in 2007, he said.

Motor vehicle break-ins have increased 96 percent in the past two years to 675. There were 345 in 2006, Bates said.

“These crimes are crimes of opportunity and a good deal of opportunity crimes are drug driven,” Bates said in an email.

Bates said the economy is connected to crime rates.

“When the economy is down, crime is up,” said Officer Maryanne Manfra while patrolling Davis Square on her police bicycle. “But there is crime in every community, and you’re foolish if you think otherwise.”

Melisa Christie, owner of local shop Davis Squared, says she tries not to dwell on the situation.

“We have a security alarm, but I guess just about all you can do is hope for the best,” Christie said.

Anwar Razzouqi, local resident, said he was unaware of the increased burglary rates.

“From what I can see it’s safe here, but if it’s increasing that is definitely scary,” Razzouqi said.

Local police are increasing their presence in the streets and checking in with businesses as it starts to get darker earlier in the evening.

“We’ve recently hired around 15 new officers that are now out on patrol.” Manfra said. “Visibility is key.”

Christie says she has had police officers check in on her shop after dark and Razzouqi says he has seen the police on their rounds.

“I see them around, even when I used to walk home late at night,” Razzouqi said.

Somerville Police are also opening two new stations. One opened this week in East Somerville and another in West Somerville is scheduled to open later in the fall, said Lesley Delaney Hawkins, a spokesman for Mayor Curtatone.

In the meantime, Manfra remains positive.

“I’ve lived in Somerville for years and never had any break-ins”