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Seven burglaries in cars, homes and businesses were reported in 2011 versus 25 reported in 2012. However, aggressive follow-up investigations and inter-agency cooperation led to successful resolution in 20 cases this year, said department officials.
FBI involvement in the May 5 home invasion and subsequent fire at 135 Broad Brook Road in Bedford Hills led to the eventual uncovering an extortion plot.
Later in the year, an arrest was made in September in connection with the Aug. 6 burglary at Bedford Mowers by way of close communication with the Stamford and Greenwich Police Departments in Connecticut.
Overall, in 2012, 434 crimes were reported, 405 cases were cleared and 131 arrests were made.
In 2011, 330 crimes were reported and 324 cases were cleared. There were 230 arrests made that year, according to the Bedford Police Department's 2011 annual report.
"I think our numbers are reporting better than 10 years ago," due to superior technology, said Bedford Police Lt. Jeffrey Dickan.
In 2012, the department saw four assaults, three motor vehicle thefts, two cases of arson, 10 dangerous drug cases, seven sex offenses, 10 dangerous weapons reports, eight fraud cases, 27 marijuana offenses, 24 liquor law violations, five cases of forgery, two cases of possession of stolen property, 140 larcenies (126 were cleared), and 73 criminal mischief reports (all were cleared). There was one rape reported and 0 murders.
The number of offenses reported in 2012 are relatively similar to 2011 counts, with some slightly higher, notably 24 liquor law violations reported in 2012 versus 2 reported in 2011, and 140 larcenies reported in 2012 versus 72 reported in 2011.
In 2012, Bedford police were especially challenged by a rash of larcenies from vehicles where cell phones, iPads, wallets, purses and other valuables were stolen.
Because of this, police aimed to promote target hardening through public awareness campaigns, encouraging residents to lock their car doors and windows, safeguard valuables from view and secure garages to prevent break-ins.
Overall, Dickan said, calls for service were lower in 2012 than the previous year. There were 22,092 calls in 2012 compared to 23,895 calls in 2011.
Despite having fewer officers on the street due to budget cuts, Dickan said the department's achievements were impressive. "I think we actually did more with less," Dickan said.
But, Dickan said, the department still has quite a bit of manpower on hand for traffic law enforcement.
In total, there were 582 motor vehicle accidents in 2012, down slightly from 617 accidents in 2011.
"In general, our push for speed enforcement has kept accidents down to an extent," Dickan said.
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