Cops: Robberies, Burglaries Drop during Holiday Rush

In a month where burglaries and robberies seem to trend upwards, especially with more expensive items available in the household, the Suffolk County Police Department's First Precinct saw a below-average amount, ending 2012 with a lower number of crimes than the year before.

"December is one of those usually big burglary months," Inspector Gerard Gigante told the audience at the precinct's January community meeting. "We just didn't see that spike – we were 25 percent less than last year."

Robberies on the whole were low – Babylon Village and North Lindenhurst had none reported throughout December. Lindenhurst and West Babylon each reported only one and Deer Park and North Babylon had two a piece.

"The cold weather is our best friend," said Gigante, noting the temperatures seem to keep people from attempting too many stolen property crimes outdoors.

Residential burglaries were low throughout the precinct as well – 33 total reported for the month – but spiked in Deer Park and West Babylon during December. Deer Park saw 10 homes broken into and West Babylon had 7, accounting for over 50% of the precinct's total alone.

Commercial burglaries were also highest in those areas – Deer Park had 6 stores broken into, West Babylon had 4 and North Babylon saw 3 – total about 62% for the precinct.

Gigante said officers made a total of 501 arrests during December, including 41 for driving while intoxicated, 68 for possession of controlled substances and 54 for possession of marijuana. Only 16 of the total 41 DWIs for the month came from Dec. 20th to Dec. 31st.

Motor vehicle accidents rose, as expected with more cars on the road during the holiday shopping season, with 592 total accidents in the First Precinct. 54 of those crashes had at least one injury and one included a fatality. 117 people were charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

The next First Precinct Community Meeting will be held on February 7th – all meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in West Babylon.