Park Hill Residents Fight Back After Burglaries Spike
DENVER (CBS4)- People who live in one northeast Denver neighborhood are fighting back after a spike in burglaries and home break-ins.
"This is where they came in," said victim Scott Weitzman.
Some victims and those who want to prevent their home from being targeted in the Park Hill neighborhood are turning to Nextdoor.com, a social media website that also functions as an online neighborhood watch of sorts.
Nextdoor is giving residents another tool to fight back against the rising number of break-ins. But it's also left some at a crossroads, wondering whether to fight the crime or move on.
Weitzman said when he returned home on Wednesday, burglars had busted through the gate, pulled out the wiring and broken security lights before they ransacked his home.
"We noticed that the beds were overturned, desks were moved, computers were gone," said Weitzman.
They stole about $10,000 in valuables, including his car.
"To leave the house, you just don't feel safe," said Weitzman.
Park Hill has been hit hard with an 18 percent increase in break-ins in April over the same period last year.
Residents are posting notices about the crimes Nextdoor.
"Once I signed up and posted my story of what happened, the outreach was just outpouring to us and the response was, 'Hey, we're in the neighborhood, we've been hit too,'" said Weitzman.
That type of awareness is one that police are searching for.
"If they see something going on at their neighbor's house, call us right away and look out for each other. Look out for your community and say, 'Hey, you know what? You don't belong here. I'm going to call the police and verify if you do belong there or not,'" said Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson.
Jackson said as warmer weather continues, it's important to be careful because open garage doors and windows can make for a perfect crime of opportunity.
