The Methuen Police Department has taken a three prong approach to residential and vehicle burglaries. Undercover officers in conjunction with uniformed officers have made arrests over the past six months and we have seen the number of burglaries decline.
The three prong approach is a combination of preventative patrols, crime reporting and follow up investigation, which we have found to be a great combination. However we cannot be successful alone and the assistance of residents is paramount in keeping our community safe. We ask that any resident that sees suspicious activity to please report it to the police department at 978-983-8698, if it is an emergency please dial 911.
Suspicious activity can be:
- Unfamiliar subjects walking or driving in your neighborhood,
- Subjects going door to door to ask for directions or to sell something,
- A vehicle that is driving by slowly or has been seen several times circling the area or on different days,
- If something does not seem right it usually isn’t.
- Please do not approach the subjects but obtain a good physical and clothing description and a description of a vehicle and is possible a license plate number and direction of travel.
We suggest you error on the side of caution and call if you feel something just isn’t right. Our sixth sense if usually correct.
Our crime prevention focuses on a variety of patrol methods and public outreach, Our flyers are a sample of the outreach we have conducted. I also suggest that residents sign up for our Twitter feed and our Facebook to keep up with current news and emergent situations.
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/Mpdblotter
Facebook www.facebook.com/methuenpolice
The variety of patrol methods utilized are a combination of marked patrols and undercover patrols. The marked patrols consist of marked patrol units patrolling individual neighborhood areas and traffic officers conduction high intensity traffic enforcement in the affected areas. This not only shows a presence which acts as a deterrent but also provides valuable intelligence. The undercover patrols run through the night including an undercover assignment that works during the late night and mid night hours.
This information is provided as a way to assist in educating our residents and encouraging a community partnership with them. Any neighborhood that wishes to start a neighborhood crime watch group to share information and provide safety and security to each other are encouraged to contract Sgt. James Gunter at 978-983-8792.