Jericho's Birchwood Civic Association (BCA) held a meeting on July 30 to discuss issues surrounding the local community. BCA president Michael Heller started the meeting by thanking the approximately 150 local residents for attending.

The BCA has been plagued with a string of burglaries over the last few months and the incidents are still occurring. Local residents have been working with police to try and solve the crimes, which all share similar patterns. No arrests have been made at this time.

Inspector Haas of the Second Precinct spoke to local residents about the progress the squad has made in solving these crimes. According to Haas, police are currently analyzing the patterns of the burglaries in the Birchwood area.

One intruder cuts phone lines and another group pushes in the door, looks for jewelry and cash in the master bedroom, and then leaves. According to Haas, burglars don't generally go into an occupied house, although they did on Monday night in West Birchwood where the house did not have an alarm. "The burglars entered through an unlocked door and an unlocked window," said Haas.

"Neighbors must be aware of burglaries in order to know that they need to report and what is considered unusual activity," said Haas who advised residents to call the police if they see something suspicious. "We will not be angry if it turns out to be nothing." He said.

Haas suggests residents get more information about their alarm companies. "Delays caused by alarm companies are sometimes responsible for delays in police arrival," he said. "Check where your central station is located and how many calls they have to handle.

Although the detective squad was not present at the meeting, as they were investigating another case, they do have more information about descriptions that they have received. According to Haas, most burglars know not to leave fingerprints and know they have a time constraint with the alarm.

To avoid having a door knocked down, Haas suggests replacing the door with a steel door or with a steel door jam (pre-hung door). According to police, most burglaries have been in the evening and weekends, when homes are empty. Leaving a radio on and keeping valuables out of the master bedroom will help; motion detector light at a back door will help neighbors notice someone at the door. According to police, burglars use cell phones to call the getaway car to pick them up and the car circles the neighborhood waiting for the call.

Haas suggests that if someone breaks in while you are in the house, call 911, lock or barricade the door of the room you are in and yell out of a window to neighbors as a deterrent. "Do not confront the perpetrator," he said. "Security patrols don't necessarily work, as perpetrators will time the rounds of the security car and time their break-in accordingly."

One problem detectives are finding with gathering evidence after a burglary is that homeowners, neighbors and friends are going through the home, which disturbs evidence and covers fingerprints. Police advise that residents don't go into the house until they arrive. DNA evidence is more likely to be found if the perpetrator breaks glass and is cut, leaving blood behind. Also, Haas explained that dogs don't seem to know what to do when a burglar comes into the home. "There was at least one home in the neighborhood with a dog that was burglarized," he said. "Consider a mail slot in the door so perpetrators can't take credit card applications, change the address, and apply for credit in your name."

Haas explained that the department doesn't have enough cars to cover all six to eight entrances to East Birchwood and that residents who have had a delayed response should call the Second Precinct with information so it can be investigated. Unmarked cars are also used in the area and when possible, an extra car is added during the evening hours.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help patrol the community should call Mal Tarkin of the auxiliary police. Officer Janice Boyd was present at the meeting to take the names of people willing to serve as block captains. Please call her at the Second Precinct for more information about this.

Officer Boyd apologized for any officers anyone has met who did not have an appropriate attitude. "Officers are embarrassed that these cases have not been solved," she said. "If there are delays in response, they need to be investigated because cars usually arrive within five minutes of receiving calls."

She also explained that the Town of Oyster Bay has been called and has been replacing streetlights that are out and trimming trees to allow light to get through. "Know your neighbors next door and behind you," said Boyd, "Gated communities provide a false sense of security because people can walk in through the woods, between houses, etc. This community has not been calling police when they see strange things. Put outside lights high where they cannot easily be unscrewed. If a solicitor comes to the door, ask for their Town of Oyster Bay picture ID. If it is a non-profit, ask to see their letter from the town. If the letter does not look legitimate or current, be suspicious. Bicycle patrols are also planned for the neighborhood."

The recent burglaries were not the only topic on the agenda for the meeting. Residents wanted an update on the Cerro Wire property, an issue that has once again recently resurfaced. Howard Avrutine, the attorney representing the BCA and those opposed to the proposed mall on the former Cerro Wire property, was at the meeting to update residents on the most recent developments. Avrutine explained that the judge said the town was wrong in denying the developer's application and several civics recently joined in appeal of the judge's decision. "The appeals process is ongoing and we have a very strong case," he said.