Community sees rise in identity theft, break-ins

By: Mario Hilario | Turn to 10.com
Published: November 25, 2008

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. -- Certain crimes are on the rise in the SouthCoast community of Fairhaven.

Twenty-five cases of identity theft have been reported in the past 60 days, compared to just nine last year.

Seventeen housebreaks have been reported in the past two months, up from 10 last year.

Police Chief Gary Souza said he thinks the economy has a lot to do with the recent spike.

"The economy is in the tank, and people are getting desperate. The holiday season's coming up. You put all those factors together and it tends to explain the problem we're having in Fairhaven," Souza said.

One resident said he was not surprised.

"I can see where the problem would be. People don't have the money, they go out and steal it," he said.

But another man had a different perspective.

"I live in a tight-knit neighborhood where everybody watches out for each other," he said.

And that's exactly what police want residents to do. Souza said anyone who sees suspicious activity should call the police.

Souza said despite the sharp increase in housebreaks and identity theft, incidents of violent crime have stayed the same. He said overall, his community is still a safe one.