Police Increase Patrols to Combat Rising Property Crime

The Bedford Police Department is trying to keep PACE with thieves as crime increases during the holiday shopping season.

Chief Robert Bongiorno announced that patrols will be increased around popular shopping areas to help reduce crimes like retail theft and shoplifting. Operation PACE — Pro-Active Community Enforcement — puts more officers in busy shopping plazas while consumers shop in increasing numbers for the holidays. The police are also asking residents to play an active role in crime prevention by reporting any suspicious activity they see this season.

“This is a busy time of year for many as we all prepare for the holidays, so we want to ensure that with the increase in people out shopping, everyone is safe and no crimes are committed,” Chief Bongiorno said. “Operation P.A.C.E. is here to let criminals know we are out in the community and will be increasing our patrols. However, while we will be monitoring stores and parking lots, we remind residents to be vigilant when shopping and to not hesitate to report anything out of the ordinary to police.”

Officers and investigators will be present and visible within Bedford’s shopping centers. An extra marked cruiser will be assigned to patrol at the plaza on Great Road near Shawsheen Road and the Bedford Marketplace at 160 Great Road. Police will be looking to reduce all types of holiday-related crime, including breaking and entering into cars, purse snatching, robbery and traffic and parking related problems.

This is a second year Bedford Police have enacted Operation PACE after multiple shoplifters were arrested as a result of the program last year.

In addition to the increased cruiser patrols, more uniformed officers will be in the community, walking through shopping centers and stores when people are out and about. They will be interacting with the residents with the goal of providing a level of comfort and security, and give residents who see something suspicious easier access to the authorities.

Anyone with questions or who would like to submit a tip to the Bedford Police Department should call 781-275-1212 or email the department at bedfordpolice@police.bedfordma.gov. All tips may remain anonymous.