A spike in car theft and break-ins in South Philadelphia has led to intensified police presence and growing homeowner concern.
Action News 6abc reported that the area around Front Street and the free parking lot beneath I-95 in Pennsport has been a target area for vandals. Residents report tires missing and broken glass. Several thefts are occurring even from secured or gated lots.
“Three times I’ve had my car stolen from this neighborhood,” said Steve Skinner of South Philadelphia in a statement shared with Action News 6abc.
Surveillance footage from the 1500 block of South 12th Street, obtained by Action News, shows a person pacing back and forth before entering a Honda CRV and driving away.
According to Eugene Desyatnik, president of the Bella Vista Neighbors Association, some thieves are using relay devices to access cars without traditional keys, enabling easier unauthorized entry when they are nearby.
“We perceive that there’s been an uptick in property crime and that’s really focused on car thefts, so people stealing cars outright, and also people stealing things from the cars,” Patrick Fitzmaurice, president of the Pennsport Civic Association, told Action News.
Police officials announced at a community meeting that police will boost patrols, directing officers to patrol visibly along the I-95 corridor to deter thefts. Residents hope the increased police presence will curb thefts.
“I know they’ve said they’ve been having officers try to catch people under there, and that they almost caught somebody just a few nights ago, so the civic association and the community at large are really looking forward to the efforts that are being made,” Fitzmaurice said.