‘Just more brazen’: Neighbor frustrated with property crime as police struggle with resources

November 2, 2022 7:00 PM

Esther Bower,

Posted: November 2, 2022 7:00 PM

Updated: November 2, 2022 7:04 PM

by Esther Bower

SPOKANE, Wash. — A neighbor is taking new measures to secure her property as Spokane Police struggle with resources to address property crime.

A local senior is now adding more lights in and around her home and in a back alley to try and secure it after getting fed up with property crime.

“Make it more than just a little slap on the wrist for somebody to come into somebody’s yard illegally,” said Renee Rader. She’s a recent victim of property theft near Boone and Lindeke and is frustrated with the growing issue.

She’s asking for change after someone came into her enclosed porch, stole numerous moving supplies and her sense of security.

“It’s just more brazen. They come into your yard,” she added. “They don’t just, ‘if it’s close to your fence grab it,’ they come into your yard, onto your porch, onto your property.”

Police say property crimes like this are becoming more common as criminals become more bold.

“People committing these criminal acts are more emboldened or more brazen, and we see that in a number of criminal categories,” said Corporal Nick Briggs with the Spokane Police Department.

Property crime is one category police are struggling to get a handle on with limited resources.

“We can’t always provide the level of service in every category that we would like to,” Briggs said. “Right now, there are areas that are going to suffer as we prioritize where we put our resources.”

Police suggest putting your resources in security systems, extra lighting, motion detectors and neighborhood engagement as they prioritize violent crimes.

“With that concerted, coordinated effort, you can certainly make your neighborhood and your home safer and deter criminal activity,” Briggs concluded.

Rader took to Nextdoor after her recent theft, putting neighbors on high alert and encouraging the community to get involved and keep an eye out for each other.

SPD says starting in January, they’re going to shift some resources around so they can put more officers on patrol, driving through neighborhoods which they hope will curb crime.