DECATUR, Ga. — Neighbors are on edge after new crime statistics show burglaries are up nearly 60 percent in Decatur.
People in one Decatur neighborhood told Channel 2’s Matt Johnson that home break-ins have plagued them for months.
Gina Cardelli Morales moved to Decatur in hopes of getting away from crime.
“In Decatur it's its own little pocket of safety,” she said.
But her neighborhood off Sycamore Drive has dealt with four burglaries since last month.
“We're just being a little extra cautious now that all this has been happening,” she said.
Sometimes the break-ins happen when they least expect it.
“One of the residents who got robbed was out on a dog walk,” she said.
The normally peaceful neighborhood was surrounded by Decatur police Friday as they chased down and arrested a teenager suspected of a burglary.
“At one point there was a cop on every corner and they were actively tracking (a) suspect,” Morales said.
Police have been tracking more suspects than normal this year. Summertime crime statistics from the area show that burglaries are up nearly 60 percent compared to last year. Other thefts are also up citywide.
“It's disappointing to see an increase,” Morales said. “I know there was a string of break-ins last year so to hear 60 percent is a pretty significant increase.”
Johnson compared those numbers to burglary statistics in Atlanta and the two cities are moving in opposite directions.
In Atlanta, car break-ins are up 5 percent but burglaries are down 12 percent across the city.
Decatur homeowners say they are just hoping this is a trend that doesn't continue.
“I think everyone is thinking what little steps can we take to make our house a little more secure based on that,” Morales said.
Burglaries tend to rise in the summer time but not typically this much. Johnson talked to several neighbors who say they've upgraded their security systems just in case.
WSBTV
