The majority of home break-ins are now be committed during daylight hours across Halifax County..

“We have recognized the influx,” said Major Bruce Temple of the sheriff's office.

As recent as Wednesday, two break-ins investigated by the sheriff's office were broad daylight. One of those was solved. The other, which occurred around 8:30 Wednesday morning in the Roanoke Rapids area near the old airport, is still being investigated. In that break-in, in which items such as electronics, including a television, were stolen, the sheriff's office is looking for a burgundy pickup with black trim at the bottom. A black and white male are believed to be suspects in that case.

The latest break-in reported by Roanoke Rapids police was also in the afternoon.

The daytime break-ins are occurring across the county and Temple believes they are planned crimes. “I suspect they are planning, casing places. It's fairly apparent they are able to make a determination that no one is home.”

A systematic drive-by of areas can give criminals ideas of when people are or aren't home. “People know who the working people are if they pay close attention when their cars are not there,” Temple said. “They (criminals) are being savvy and pick out isolated places where neighbors are limited to seeing the break-in take place.”

Temple doesn't necessarily believe the new Castle Doctrine has played a part in the change in break-in trends, although he did say ones who break-in at night unwittingly, “Are asking for a fight in light of the new Castle Doctrine.”

Most criminals, he said, are probably unaware the new law has gone into effect.

Motives behind the more brazen daylight break-ins may have changed slightly, too, with the economy. “We don't have any statistics but I think all our detectives would agree this influx (is being caused by people) who are not employed. It's a vicious cycle they put themselves in. Traditionally, it's been drug offenders, now there are more unemployed people committing crimes in addition to those who are substance abusers.”

The majority of these crimes are now taking place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. when before the shift they were being committed in the night time hours. When the night crimes were the norm, the crimes were usually discovered in the morning. “Lately, we're getting them reported when people come home from work.”

Deputies are identifying the targeted areas and are assertively patrolling them, said Temple.

The change in break-in times requires a change from people in communities and open communication, the major said. “I think people that are trusted, whether friends, relatives, neighbors, it's time to communicate these things. They need to be discussed so you can consciously be aware so we can be more successful. Police officers keep an eye on their neighborhoods coming home from work.”

Prevention of nigh time break-ins, or at least the slowing of them, still requires the same tools, proper lighting and good locks. “You want to make them work for entry,” which inevitably will create noise and rouse neighbors.

Day time break-in prevention or curbing requires a little more effort, Temple said. “If you have the ability adjust your schedule and make more visits to your home on breaks or lunch. Have people run by your house on their lunch breaks. We can deter it to a degree. Inevitably, we're going to have theft.”

Neighborhood watch groups help and the sheriff's office will help getting them started. “We've had very successful groups throughout the county.”

If you see a crime being committed, Temple advises to call 911 and try to get as detailed description as you can. Dispatchers will keep your identity anonymous.