Theft

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

Just as a heads up/cautionary warning, the police were called at 3:45am last night because we were awoken by someone breaking in to a sports car across the street (jiggered the lock, no windows smashed) as well as noise around the perimeter of our house. The culprits went through the glove box, center console, etc. Fortunately I think they only got away with parking tickets. But I wanted to let you all know so you remember to lock your cars (and arm alarms, if applicable) and not keep valuables inside. This is the 2nd break-in that our apartment has witnessed within 1 house from our own in the last 6 months (the last one was a house break-in next door that happened during mid-day that my roommate saw).

I live at the crossing of Morrison and Grove Street.

Also, one thing that bothered me: I called 911, was passed through to the police, and said there was a break-in. I was then asked to hang up and "call the non-emergency line." I didn't quite understand that, because the delay caused by this contributed to the perps being able to escape. Not sure, maybe it was a misunderstanding, but that annoyed me.

Comments

[ron_newman]

I wonder if they misunderstood that you were reporting a break-in in progress rather than one that had already happened hours earlier?

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

That's my only guess. Except it was 3:45am. *shrug*

[ron_newman]

I'd suggest putting in a 311 call now about the police response.

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

Do you really think that's worth reporting? I wouldn't mind, but I couldn't until I get home later tonight. Not sure of their hours (or if they're 24/7).

[ron_newman]

Yes, and you can call them right now from outside Somerville, at 617-666-3311

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Even if someone does call 911 for something that is not an emergency, why do they make you call back on the non-emergency line?

If the problem is that it keeps the non-emergency call ahead of other potential emergency calls in their phone queue, they should be able to push a button which seamlessly moves the call to a non-emergency line.

[ratushebarl.livejournal.com]

I don't know the 311 hours, but I do think that's worth reporting.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I live at the intersection of Orchard and Milton, and my car door was jiggered open, the contents rifled, and my car radio faceplate was stolen. Not the radio itself, just the faceplate, which I replaced cheaply and easily. This happened about two weeks ago.

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

Sounds identical to what I saw them do last night. Did you report it? And would that be Cambridge or Somerville police?

[ron_newman]

The corner of Orchard and Milton is in Somerville.

[teko.livejournal.com]

I discovered it after a week spent away from home, so I didn't report it, no -- I wasn't sure when it occurred. Do you think it would be beneficial now?

[ron_newman]

Worth reporting to the non-emergency police line even now, I think, so that the police can identify trends in property crimes.

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

Absolutely, because the nature of the theft/break-in is identical.

I am also in conversation with another LJ'er whose neighbor's car was also broken into last night as well, only a couple blocks away. Since you're also technically Somerville, the frequency and consistency of the events would make it a point of concern for the police.

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

What type of car do you have?

[teko.livejournal.com]

A Honda Insight. I called the non-emergency line, and they told me I had to report it in person.

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

??

Can an officer not be dispatched? I'm so confused.

Is it out of your way to do so? I can only imagine as such, since the town hall is in the central/eastern portion of the city.

[smammy]

Also, one thing that bothered me: I called 911, was passed through to the police, and said there was a break-in. I was then asked to hang up and "call the non-emergency line." I didn't quite understand that, because the delay caused by this contributed to the perps being able to escape. Not sure, maybe it was a misunderstanding, but that annoyed me.

Not sure I'd qualify a crime against property as an emergency. Not compared to, say, an assault. Well, maybe I'd feel differently if it were my property. :)

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

I was thinking that too, although I suspect if the magic phrases "in progress" had been used, they would've taken the call. A surprising number of people treat 911 as the only way to reach the police, so it being a simple matter of miscommunication about the timing of the break-in strikes me as likely, unfortunate as it is.

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

Yes, but apparently there is certain protocol where they are supposed to ask whether it is in progress or happened a while ago. Deputy Chief Upton is investigating and will be giving me an update tomorrow. I don't place any blame on anyone, just recognize this as a key event that could have led to a better end result.

[swingchickie.livejournal.com]

considering that someone breaking into your place and you catching them could turn into an assault, i'd count it as an emergency. i would have called 911 as well.

[melmybelle123.livejournal.com]

My car got broken into a bit further down on Morrison last night, too. Troubling that this seems to be a pattern and they had a chance to catch the person in the act and missed it.

[melmybelle123.livejournal.com]

Also--thanks for being such a good neighbor and helping out.

[qwrrty.livejournal.com]

If they didn't break any windows, I don't understand how it woke you up? Unless by jiggering the lock they set off a car alarm?

Nice work on the follow-through.

[cynickalone.livejournal.com]

Nope - I mentioned:

"we were awoken by someone breaking in to a sports car across the street (jiggered the lock, no windows smashed) as well as noise around the perimeter of our house."

[gee-tar.livejournal.com]

Small correction to the post: one small item of mine was stolen as it was sitting in said car, as it belongs to a friend of mine.