Positive Increase in Solving Residential Burglary Cases in the Republic: Prosecutor's Office Statement

Under the instruction of the Armenian Republic’s Chief Prosecutor Artur Davtyan, practical steps were initiated by the territorial subdivisions of the prosecutor's office at the beginning of 2019 to enhance the effectiveness of the prevention of increasing residential burglaries in the country and to improve crime detection rates, reports the Chief Prosecutor's Office.

In particular, in the Tavush region, locations identified as primary targets and risks for residential burglaries were mapped and specified. Measures were taken to equip the entrances of apartment buildings with special coded locks. It was planned to increase the number of surveillance cameras in residential areas, which could also play a significant role in preventing other crimes and enhancing detection efficiency. In areas with many private homes, it was decided to strengthen patrol services.

After the implementation of planned measures and the fulfillment of assigned tasks, during the first nine months of 2019, a total of 508 cameras were activated in the administrative territories serviced by the subdivisions of the Tavush regional police department in locations considered risky for theft, including the entrances to apartment buildings, intersections, public squares, entertainment centers, roads leading to private houses, and other necessary locations. Some of these cameras had previously been installed and were now being utilized by police subdivisions, while others were set up by private entities thanks to the explanatory work of police staff. Specifically, during 2019, 36 cameras were installed in Dilijan, 19 in Berd, 40 in Novobirjan, and 96 in Ijevan.

Additionally, in Ijevan, the police installed another 19 cameras in 13 notable locations, creating a unified network with a control center from which surveillance is conducted through direct communication.

As a result, during the nine months of 2018-2019, there was a sharp positive shift in the detection of residential burglary cases. Specifically, out of 17 recorded residential burglaries in 2018, 4 cases were solved, amounting to 23.5%. In 2019, 15 cases were recorded, of which 10 were solved, equating to 66.6%. The number of incidents decreased by 2 compared to the previous year, while the detection rate improved by 43.2%.

Notably, in several cases, the installed cameras played a crucial role, allowing investigative bodies to track down offenders through their footage.

Efforts in this sector continue, with measures being implemented in collaboration with local authorities to equip entrances to apartment buildings with coded lock doors.