Terry Choate, Hancock’s new interim chief of police, answered questions from residents about rumored recent burglaries in Hancock at a meet and greet on Sunday at Hancock Public Library.
Choate confirmed that two break-ins recently took place in Hancock but said the two incidents were not related.
“We caught one guy at two o’clock in the morning, and he had crowbars and lock-picking kits, and he was a professional, and he had warrants on him for burglary, and he was out of Winchester,” Choate said. “The other was in the middle of the day and that is under investigation.”
Choate said residents can always do more to keep their homes secure.
“Whenever people tell me their home has been robbed, the first question I ask is, ‘was your door locked?'” Choate said. “People usually kind of laugh and say something like, ‘No, because we live in a small town.’ To which I say, ‘But I’m here for a burglary.’ So the first thing I tell people is to start locking their doors.”
He said the region does have crime, including scams, and people need to be aware.
“Scams are just out of control, beyond anything you could possibly imagine,” he said.
Choate said his priority is to provide education and as much communication as possible to the Hancock community.
“My role is to share with you everything that is going on here in Hancock, and to educate you on what you can do to stay safe,” he said.
Choate said small towns may be more vulnerable to burglaries because residents are not on alert for crime and may believe “it can’t happen here.”
“The places the bad guys like best are small towns because they know we’re not paying attention. Maybe we don’t know what it looks like,” he said.
Credit: JESSECA TIMMONS/Ledger-Transcript
In answer to a question about the effectiveness of home alarm systems, Choate said alarm systems serve mostly to “tell professional burglars they have less time to do what they want to do.”
Choate said he will be offering courses in how residents of the region can improve their home and personal security.
“One of the things I do is offer a class on how burglars think, what they’re looking for, and how to make sure you have the least possible chance of being victimized,” he said. “I believe in as much communication as possible. There are a lot of things that everyone really could use some education on as far as how to stay safe.”
Choate also noted that most dogs “are not going to make any difference.”
“I always tell people, stop telling everyone your dog doesn’t bite. Don’t make it easier for them. Typically, the burglar will just put your dog in another room and carry on with what they are doing,” Choate said.
About 40 Hancock residents attended the event on Sunday.
Choate, a Hancock resident, has had a 30-year career in law enforcement and holds certifications in surveillance, tactical operations and negotiations. Previously, he served on the Jaffrey Police Department, and, after retiring at the rank of lieutenant, ran his own security firm before returning to work for the Hancock Police part time as a patrol officer in May 2025.
“I hadn’t planned to come back to law enforcement but there was a need here, and it’s a calling,” Choate said. “I’m here to serve the community of Hancock, to work with surrounding communities to make small-town policing better, and to enhance services for less money.”
Select Board member Betsy Villaume, who is the board’s liaison to the Police Department, said Hancock is very happy to have Choate on board as interim chief.
For more information about the Hancock Police Department go to https://www.hancocknh.org/departments/police_department/index.php.