Annie Pulley
RACINE — According to a national study by Stone Injury Lawyers, Wisconsin experiences the sixth largest increase in burglaries during the holiday season.
The study used FBI crime statistics to track the increase in burglaries per 100,000 residents between the months of November and December. The data stretches from 2019-23.
Wisconsin experienced a 6.71% increase in average burglaries during that time frame. November saw an average of 13.74 burglaries per 100,000 residents and December saw an average of 14.66 burglaries per 100,000 residents.
Alabama ranked No. 1 with a 12.48% increase. California followed at 8.81%, and New York came in third at 8.37%.
According to the Racine Police Department, data for the city aligns with this trend.
Sgt. Jake Smetana said that burglary is a broad term and encapsulates forced and non-forced entry. It also applies to residential and non-residential properties and also may reflect attempted burglaries.
“The City of Racine does see higher trends of burglaries during the fourth quarter every year,” Smetana said in a statement. “This is likely because the holidays create financial burden on a large portion of the city’s population.”
In 2023, RPD received 171 burglary reports. Through November of this year, RPD had received 146. Last year, the number of burglaries in December was nearly double the city’s November numbers, an increase from 11 to 20 burglary reports.
RPD Investigator Jake Mueller, who is the primary burglary detective for the department, provided the following tips and best practices to help with prevention:
- Lock doors and windows when no one is home. Don’t forget the garage.
- Maintain a well lit home.
- Keep bushes trimmed to limit hiding spots.
- Keep lights and TVs on if no one is home for an extended period of time.
- Don’t leave boxes outside your residence; burglars will take note.
- Place cameras inside and outside your residence.
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