Police Chief report: O-C-T-O-B-E-R 1st spells burglary

According to a study performed by Police Chief Tom Casady, many burglaries in his city have historically occurred on September 30 and October 1. His Crime Analysis Unit suggested that the large number of tenants moving in and out around the first of the month could provide cover for a "couple of blokes wrestling with a TV," and that someone carrying a box or laundry basket through the hallway or parking lot would not attract much attention. The data supports this theory, with a near doubling of reported apartment burglaries on the first of the month versus any other day:

Apartment Burglaries by day of month (Jan-1-200 through Oct-15-2008)

Makes sense to us. As the first of the month approaches -- particularly for folks living in cities, where apartment buildings flood with new tenants -- be on the lookout. If you see something suspicious, call it in. You might also consider subscribing to a crime alert service so that you can get some advance warning of an increase in crime in your neighborhood -- or a neighborhood your considering moving into.