Burglaries increase over the holidays

Security companies and law enforcement agree that burglaries increase when people are not home for the holidays.

They also agree that items often get stolen when someone’s car or home is left unlocked.

Data from the Missouri Uniform Crime Reporting Program shows that in Boone County during 2015, there were 1,020 burglaries; 507 were forcible entries and 473 were non-forcible entries. In other words, almost half of the time people do not physically break into someone’s home or car because they are already unlocked.

Just in November 2015, there were 75 burglaries, and in 39 of those there was no force used. In December of 2015, there were a total of 96 burglaries and 46 of those had no use of force.

Law enforcement and private security companies suggest people check to make sure all of their doors and windows are locked before leaving for the holidays.