A higher than normal increase in breaking, entering and theft cases during daylight has prompted the Halifax County Sheriff's Office to begin offering security checks for residences.

“In a five-week period, several breaking and entering and thefts have been determined to have been committed during daylight hours,” Sheriff Wes Tripp said. “At the same time, an unacceptable amount of theft occurs after sundown.The west side of Roanoke Rapids, to include the West Tenth Street, Bolling Road, and Zoo Road areas have had a recent influx of theft.”

In recognition of recent theft patterns, Tripp is emphasizing the security check program. “The sheriff’s office will provide patrols for residences as it does for businesses.”

Tripp said the sheriff’s office is tracking crime and allocating resources to combat the trends. Additional methods to identify perpetrators are also being implemented.

In addition to securing their property and have neighbors coordinate efforts to detect suspicious activity, Tripp is encouraging citizens to contact the sheriff’s office in order to submit a security check request when they leave town for days at a time. Deputies will patrol the area of the residence or business.

Safeguards, Tripp said, would be to maintain proper lighting at any building before leaving town; ask for trusted friends or relatives to keep a check; ensure that alarms are turned on and while out of town realize that if you or your children advertise on social media, it may expose the residence or business. “Most thieves are opportunists and they do know how to scope out a place for activity or attempt to locate the property of someone that is indisposed,” he said.

To request a security check, call the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office at 252-583-8201, where a staff member will assist you.