By Rich Pollack
Crime remained low in South County’s small coastal towns with just 65 incidents reported during the first six months of 2019.
The number of crimes reported in both Ocean Ridge and Manalapan remained flat year over year, according to statistics released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement last month, while Highland Beach, Gulf Stream and South Palm Beach all reported small increases.
The larger cities — Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Lantana — all reported drops in major crimes, with the number of reported incidents in Lantana dropped by 14%.
Law enforcement officials say increased awareness among residents is responsible for both the drop in some communities and the increase in others.
In Lantana, for example, Police Chief Sean Scheller says a number of factors could be responsible for the decrease, including an awareness among residents to report situations that don’t seem right.
“Our department has continued to increase community relations and educate our residents on reporting suspicious activity,” Scheller said.
Also helping to keep crime down, he said, is an increased police presence in residential and commercial areas.
In Highland Beach, where the number of reported crimes increased from 17 during the first half of 2018 to 28 a year later, Police Chief Craig Hartmann says part of increase is due to residents being more diligent in reporting crimes.
He said residents are also more aware of the importance of locking their cars and removing wallets, jewelry and other items overnight.
“The community is doing a much better job of not leaving valuables in their vehicles,” he said.
Highland Beach reported five stolen vehicles in the first part of the year, and Hartmann said in most of those cases, keys were left in the ignition.
Highland Beach residents also reported several thefts from homes, with police believing some of the missing pieces may have been taken by workers or others who were invited into the homes.
His advice to residents: “Be aware of the valuables that are in your home and secure them.”
He also recommends remaining in your home while workers are present whenever possible.
Hartmann said it appears the town would finish 2019 with close to the same number of crimes as reported the year before.
Overall, crime in Palm Beach County dropped about 15% during the first six months of 2019, according to the FDLE, which compiles the statistics. Statewide, crime dropped about 6% during that time period.
In Gulf Stream, Police Chief Edward Allen reported two cases of suspected “porch thieves” striking in November, compared to none the previous year. Ú
Comments