142 break-and-enters over 31 days in Mississauga and Brampton, Ontario

There were 142 break-and-enters over the last 31 days in Mississauga and Brampton.

According to Peel Regional Police data, incidents occurred from July 4 to Aug. 3

Both cities saw their fair share of crimes related to break-ins, with 76 of the incidents happening in Mississauga and the other 66 in Brampton.

The map below shows where these incidents took place:

The data further indicates that the following places were targeted:

32 houses, eight apartments, six residential garages or sheds, eight apartments, seven restaurants, five construction sites, one factory, seven schools, three stores and 10 offices; 13 were simply listed as “other,” and 42 were “unidentified” businesses.

The top common hotspots for these break-ins this month were:

• Brisdale Drive—five occurrences
• Queen Street—five occurrences

As of Sunday, with the investigations into the majority of these cases, 119 are still ongoing, 21 are considered solved and two have been deemed unsolved.

Here are a few notable break-and-enter stories from the past month:

• Brampton boy, 16, charged in robberies of homes and jewelry stores across the GTA
• Toronto teens charged in multiple smash-and-grab robberies in Brampton
• Violent home invasions created ‘terror’ in Mississauga, Brampton: police

According to Peel Police, some properties are more likely to be broken into such as corner lots, homes that back onto parks and other open spaces and homes that do not appear to be maintained or “lived in.”

“Residential break-ins are typically crimes of opportunity,” Peel Police say. “Burglars usually target certain property based on characteristics that will increase their chances of breaking-in without getting caught.”

Residents are advised to maintain a safe home and prevent break-ins by following these tips:

• Keep shrubs and hedges around your property maintained to allow for clear lines of sight to all
  accessible windows and doors.
• Ensure garage and screen doors are locked, even while at home.
• Get to know your neighbours and look out for each other’s properties.
• Consider installing a second locking device for windows and any sliding doors.