Norton Police Report: Drug Abuse Fuels Increase in Housebreaks, Robberies

The fiscal year runs from July 1, 2011 to June 30 2012.

During that time, the police department made 112 arrests, which include protective custodies. There 28 cases of reported assault, 23 reports of building break ins, 75 reports of residential break ins and 66 reported vehicular break ins.

There were 107 reports of domestic disturbances.

Police responded to and aided 300 motorists with disabled vehicles.

Norton saw 120 reports of larceny, 177 reports of vandalism, 14 reports of shoplifting one reported robbery and one report of use of a motor vehicle use without authority (also one report of a recovered vehicle).

There were also 10 reports of recovered lost/stolen property and 166 well being checks. There were also no arsons, bomb threats, homicides or rapes reported in Norton during that time.

There 1,925 motor vehicle citations issued, 50 marijuana citations and three parking tickets.

Police stated in the town report that increases in drug addiction in the town and surrounding areas are to blame for increases in break ins. The report states:

“Housebreaks and robberies continue to be fueled by drug addiction. Prescription drug use and abuse has increased. Detectives worked together with the Drug Enforcement Administration on several prescription drug cases in town. Detectives also arrested a subject that was not only responsible for a robbery at Mansfield Bank on West Main Street, but numerous others throughout the state. On New Year’s Eve, an accidental hunting incident left a woman seriously injured."