Thefts continues to rise in the Tri-Cities
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TRI-CITIES - The KEPR Crime Tracker has learned some of the most common thefts to affect you are the simple one. Theft is on the rise so far this year here in the Tri-Cities.
“We have a very large dog, so people don't mess with our backyard,” said Richland local Alex Pospical.
Pospical has lived in Richland for ten years, but this year he's already had his car broken into, and there's been plenty more.
“Gas cans, items of convenience, bicycles, if they're left out,” said Pospical. “Anything left out tends to walk away during the night.”
He's not alone just across Alder Avenue. His neighbor is having the same problem. Thieves went into his backyard and stole his son's bike.
“It may be $100 for the bike, but it's $300-$400 new, so it's still $100 out of your pocket,” said local Jeff Parrish.
“It's spreading, there's no one area anymore that seems to be the culprit,” added Pospical.
KEPR sifted through the numbers and found in the first six months of the year theft is up for Richland and Pasco. Richland has seen the biggest increase at close to 10%. Unlike the others, Kennewick has seen a significant drop, with 20 percent fewer thefts than the same time last year.
Richland Police say unless items in your front yard are nailed down, crooks will be walking off with them.
“Lately I would agree with that, we haven't seen that in the past so much but it seems like lately I'm sure the economy plays into this,” added Pospical
Whatever the reason, these neighbors say the good ole days are behind them, and they're prepared for anything.
“You know I hate to put a bike lock on my son's bicycle on a backyard tree, you know that's pretty pathetic if you know it but whatever it takes to protect it I guess,” said Parrish.
The neighbors KEPR spoke to said they're in the process of putting together a neighborhood watch because of all the thefts this year.
They even said on Friday night, they stopped a car prowler trying to break into a neighbor's car. Police are always willing to help if you want to put together a neighborhood watch just call them.
“We have a very large dog, so people don't mess with our backyard,” said Richland local Alex Pospical.
Pospical has lived in Richland for ten years, but this year he's already had his car broken into, and there's been plenty more.
“Gas cans, items of convenience, bicycles, if they're left out,” said Pospical. “Anything left out tends to walk away during the night.”
He's not alone just across Alder Avenue. His neighbor is having the same problem. Thieves went into his backyard and stole his son's bike.
“It may be $100 for the bike, but it's $300-$400 new, so it's still $100 out of your pocket,” said local Jeff Parrish.
“It's spreading, there's no one area anymore that seems to be the culprit,” added Pospical.
KEPR sifted through the numbers and found in the first six months of the year theft is up for Richland and Pasco. Richland has seen the biggest increase at close to 10%. Unlike the others, Kennewick has seen a significant drop, with 20 percent fewer thefts than the same time last year.
Richland Police say unless items in your front yard are nailed down, crooks will be walking off with them.
“Lately I would agree with that, we haven't seen that in the past so much but it seems like lately I'm sure the economy plays into this,” added Pospical
Whatever the reason, these neighbors say the good ole days are behind them, and they're prepared for anything.
“You know I hate to put a bike lock on my son's bicycle on a backyard tree, you know that's pretty pathetic if you know it but whatever it takes to protect it I guess,” said Parrish.
The neighbors KEPR spoke to said they're in the process of putting together a neighborhood watch because of all the thefts this year.
They even said on Friday night, they stopped a car prowler trying to break into a neighbor's car. Police are always willing to help if you want to put together a neighborhood watch just call them.
