Monday, November 16, 2009

People in the College Hill neighborhood are on guard in the wake of a recent crime wave.

"The police said that they jimmied the back lock and were able to get in that way and then they had free reign over the whole first floor of the house," said burglary victim Joy Eakins.

Once the burglars broke through the back door of the Belmont Street home last Tuesday night, they stole computers from the study, cell phones, credit cards and cash, the television and even the car. The crime happened while Eakins and her family were sleeping upstairs.

"I think we all felt pretty violated and scared the next morning. Our son has really struggled with the fear from all that," said Eakins.

The Eakins' is one of nine College Hill homes hit by burglars in just the last two weeks. Most alarming to police is that four of the break-ins happened while people were at home. That's why police are trying to get the word out.

"This is concerning to me. You can see this is a trend because it's not happening anywhere else in the city but in this area," said Wichita Police Lt. Barry VonFange.

Those who live in this area are taking control. Eakins is not only a burglary victim, but also the president of the Belmont Street Homeowners Association. She is leading the effort to stop the crooks.

She is trying to alert everyone in the neighborhood to keep their porch lights on, report all suspicious people and cars and make sure to keep windows, doors and cars locked up tight.

"We also have a lady that's wanting to start a neighborhood watch so we'll be trying to pursue those things and make sure out neighbors know so they can be safe," said Eakins.

Anyone with any information about the crimes should call police.