Lt. Chris Young, of the Laurinburg Police Department, studying a map of the crimes that have occurred in the city so far this year. Burglaries in Laurinburg during the month of January increased by 55 percent compared to January of 2008.
The Scotland County Sheriff's Department had 44 reported break-ins in January of this year, but just 29 the year before, according to records. This represents an increase of 52 percent.
In January of this year, the Laurinburg Police Department had 48 reports of breaking and entering, compared to 31 the previous year, according to police statistics. That is a 55 percent increase.
Captain David Newton of the sheriff's office, and Lt. Chris Young, LPD, said the top two reasons for the rise in break-ins are unemployment and drug dependencies.
Young said that people are stealing items like electronics, guns and jewelry - to trade for cash or drugs.
Young identified several problem areas in town - Charlotte Street, Mary town, Sunset Drive and portions of South Main Street.
Newton would not pinpoint specific any problem areas, saying instead that burglaries are across the board.
He said that they will have a string of break-ins in one area and when they make an arrest, a new series will start somewhere else with another burglar.
"Most burglaries occur from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - while people are at work," said Newton.
He said that people generally find times when the house is not occupied, looking for cars and lights on. They'll often knock on the door and, when no one answers, they'll kick in the door and go in.
Young added that not all alleged break-ins are real.
"Some may be insurance fraud," Young said.
He said the city had arrested between five and 10 burglars during that time span, but added that many were responsible for multiple break-ins.
For example, police arrested 19-year old Sean Paul Barnes, of John Russell Road in Raeford, last week and charged him with breaking into both Scotland Place Civic Center and Bella Luna.
Barnes, who is on probation in Hoke County for breaking-and-entering, is also being charged with breaking into four vehicles in Hoke county.
Officials say Barnes may serve as an example of another trend - people from outside the county coming into Laurinburg or Scotland County to commit crimes.
Young said that, with Laurinburg's proximity to South Carolina and Robeson County, the city sees a lot of crime by non-residents.
Newton said a lot of stolen property moves to Robeson County.
Newton said the best thin people can do is purchase an alarm system. An alarm system acts as a deterrent and it also lets the Sheriff's office know there is a problem when someone breaks in.If you have information on any break-ins in or around Scotland County, contact your local law enforcement agency or anonymously report your tip to Scotland Crime Stoppers.
Scotland County Sheriff's Office - (910) 276-3385
Laurinburg Police Department - (910) 276-3211
Maxton Police Department - (910) 844-5667
Wagram Police Department - (910) 369-2400
Scotland Crime Stoppers - (910) 291-3333
According to the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, physical security constitutes 90 percent of burglary prevention. If your building is locked and unauthorized entry is made difficult, time consuming, and conspicuous, chances of a successful burglary are minimized. The agency has the following recommendations to help prevent burglaries:
• Locks on all outside entrances and inside security doors should be double-cylinder deadbolts with movable collars. They should be recessed into the door and should have at least a one-inch throw containing a hardened steel insert protected by a latch guard.
• Padlocks should be made of hardened steel and mounted on bolted hasps. Keep them locked to prevent exchange. File off serial numbers to prevent new keys being made.
• Entry doors should be of solid construction, metal lined, and secured with heavy metal crossbars.
• Door jams must be solid. Exposed hinges should be pinned to prevent removal.
• Windows should have secure locks and burglar-resistant glass. Use heavy metal grates on all windows, except possibly display windows.
• Good visibility should be maintained through windows; expensive items should be removed from displays before closing.
• Lights must provide optimum visibility inside and out, with vandal-proof covers over the outside lights and power source.
• The perimeter must be well-lit, especially around all entry points.
• Alarm systems should be from a licensed alarm company with a central monitoring station. Check the system on a daily basis. Advertise its presence to deter break-ins.
• The cash register should be in plain view from outside so it can be easily monitored. Leave the drawer open when empty or not in use.
• Safes should be fireproof, burglar resistant, anchored securely, and in plain view. Leave them open when empty, and use them to lock up valuables when the business is closed.
• Change combinations when anyone with safe access leaves your employment.
• Maintain good visibility. Landscaping, boxes, and trash bins near the building can give a criminal cover or access to the roof.
• Check your building exterior (roof, cellar, walls, etc.); secure all openings larger than 12x12.
• Perimeter fences should keep intruders out and allow good visibility of your business by neighbors and police. Alarms on fences can give you additional protection. Guard dogs inside fences are also effective in deterring unauthorized entry.
• Your North Carolina Driver's License number or Social Security number should be engraved, and Operation ID stickers displayed, on enticing objects.
• Keep accurate records of serial numbers on all items to help in recovery.
• Tightly anchor all equipment/merchandise to a secure base to delay the efforts of a burglar.
• A closing security check should include the entire interior of your business so you do not lock an aspiring burglar inside. Check the exterior to make sure that there have been no security breaches.
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