CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Division of Police is working to identify hotspots and increase patrols following nearly a dozen car break-ins in the city's West Park neighborhood in recent days.
According to Cleveland Police Public Information Officer Wilfredo Diaz, 10 cars were reported to have been broken into.
"Officers are working to identify hot spots and are launching a strategic response, including increased foot and vehicle patrols, as well as covert investigations," Diaz said.
We found Robert Delia waiting for his insurance company.
He's got plastic covering his back passenger window, which was busted out last Saturday.
"They smashed the window just to get in, peeled the column. They weren't able to steal it and here we are. It's a bad feeling," Delia said.
Delia lives off Montrose Avenue and West 144th Street in West Park. His neighbor down the street captured possible culprits on his doorbell camera when his jeep was targeted last week.
That man says they smashed his work cell phone, too.
"It's getting to be a real problem. Feels like it just won't quit," Delia said.
Delia isn't sure what's next at his house but would like more help from the police.
"It seems like they're taunting us, they want to see how much they can take out of the neighborhood here. I don't know what the response is. We have cameras and they commit the crimes anyway," Dalia said.
The Cleveland Division of Police is working with the city council to help "address concerns and implement preventative measures."
Cleveland Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife said those measures include additional surveillance in the area to combat crime.
"I’m aware of vehicle vandalism and thefts and maintain close communication with CPD on this issue. District 1 leadership continues to prioritize crime impacting our neighborhood and have been increasing patrols and surveillance at my request," Slife said.
Diaz said the investigation is ongoing.
