Park Slope Burglary Spike Has Residents Worried

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — Park Slope residents say they are concerned after a recent string of burglaries has police warning them to make sure doors and windows are locked when they leave home.

The NYPD's 78th Precinct, which covers the area, said there have been several recent burglaries on 12th Street between Fifth and Seventh Avenues. (That's also a block away from where Mayor Bill de Blasio owns two homes.)

Through April 16 this year, burglaries have increased more than 50 percent in the precinct compared to the same time period last year with 31 incidents, according to NYPD data.

"It feels like an incredibly safe neighborhood," Emily, a Park Slope mom who was out for a walk with her 2-and-a-half-year-old and didn't want to give her last name, told Patch on Thursday. "And all of a sudden you have to close your windows and lock everything up. We're a little disillusioned about the safety."

Emily, who lives on the block police are warning about, said she heard about the break-ins through Park Slope Parents, a neighborhood group.

Beth Clark, who lives a block targeted area and was sitting outside reading Thursday afternoon, said the break-ins are "disconcerting."

"I've seen an article that is getting passed around," she said. "I'm not making light of it."

The precinct released photos of the man who they believe may be behind the break-ins. The photos are the same ones sent out last month for a man they say broke into an apartment in Park Slope with a screwdriver.

Anyone with information about break-ins can call 718-636-6411.

Image via Marc Torrence