CRIME: What to do when your neighbor's a burglar

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says burglaries are up 12 percent citywide. And when repeat offenders live in your neighborhood, you're bound to be a target.

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CRIME: What to do when your neighbor's a burglar

POSTED: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 12:36 PM

Burglaries are up 12 percent citywide, according to Philly Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who swung by a 26th District police town hall meeting at the request of Fishtown and Kensington neighborhood groups last night. But, he admitted, "property crimes are just not treated as seriously as violent crimes in our system."

That might have something to do with why, in the 26th District's Police Service Area 3 alone, there are at least 57 known active burglars living in the neighborhood, according to Capt. Michel Cram. He estimates that "90 percent [of burglars committing crimes in the neighborhood] live in PSA 3, and most are repeat offenders." In fact, 24 of the 57 have 11 or more arrests on their records.

Because perpetrators are known, stings aren't difficult to plan — but the extraordinary manpower required is often more than the district can spare. Plus, Cram said when he does manage to make arrests, repeat offenders picked up for theft and burglary are often released back onto the streets. Said Assistant District Attorney Angel Flores, "It's a conscious decision by the court to prioritize." 

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