Syracuse Business Owner Upset By Recent Burglaries
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Small businesses in Syracuse may have to step up their security since a number of them have been the victims of thefts and burglaries.
One such business is Higgins Sport and Lawn Equipment. Pat Higgins, proprietor, said he has been hit six times in the last year.
"My gut feeling is that 50 percent is youth, but there are a large number of professionals who come into the area," Higgins said.
Higgins said the only way to solve the problem was for the Syracuse police to drive through the village and through the town at least once an hour. But, he said, he has contacted the state police to handle the investigation because the local police don't seem to put enough hours into the case.
"I feel that the state police will take more time to investigate them than the city," he said.
The biggest problem he said he sees is a lack of communication between the community and the police force. He said he didn't know why the police weren't helping him more and advising him on how to better protect his property. He also said the Syracuse council weren't focused enough on the real issues.
"They're more worried about trimming trees and Christmas decorations," Higgins said. "I'm more worried about crimes."
According to police reports, someone attempted to burglarize Higgins Sport and Lawn on Oct. 14. An attempt was made by the assailant to cut a hole in the side of the building. Phone wires and alarm wires were also found to be cut.
An actual theft of property occurred at Higgins' business Oct. 20. A Polaris ATV was stolen that belonged to Dallas Winchester, Milford. The estimated value was $4,799.
Chief Bill Endler, Syracuse Police Department, said the rash of thefts in the community follows a national trend of more thefts during the winter and holiday season. He said he does not see an increase this year over the past. He did say that the number of officers patroling increases during this time, though.
"I've got reserves coming in. Usually, they only work weekends but I have them coming in during the week," he said.
Endler said there were several recommendations he could give small businesses to help in the prevention of theft.
"The security would be the most important," he said.
He said they should always make sure windows and doors are locked. If possible, outside lighting should be installed as well as an alarm system.
Many thefts appear to occur in the "village."
Endler said, "It's not as well-lighted as uptown. There are more places to hide."
As for homes, Endler recommended about the same thing. Homeowners need to be more aware of the security aspect. He said people should have good locks on their doors and windows and have exterior lighting if at all possible.
"Make it look like someone is home," he said.
As for solving crimes, Endler said, the cases are always being investigated.
"We do get reports from pawn shops in Fort Wayne. I do make it a habit to check the local ones," he said.
"Once in a while you do get lucky and something does come up where you may solve 10 to 15 thefts at once."
As for the perpetrators of the recent thefts, Endler said, he could only guess at this point.
"I would certainly say that the method of operation appears to be the same," he said.
"I have no idea of the age of the perpetrator, to be honest. I wouldn't say they were professionals."
Other Syracuse businesses that have been hit by theft include Subway, Main Channel Marina, Cotton and Cotton, Farm Bureau Insurance Co. and Northern Lakes Family Medicine.
Dr. John Kratzer, proprietor of NLFM, said his business was burglarized sometime between 10:30 p.m. Nov. 22 and the morning of Nov. 23.
"My window was smashed and my office was trashed," Kratzer said.
His staff arrived first Monday and by the time he reported to his office, the police were already investigating. He said they were taking pictures and writing notes.
Kratzer believes that theft in Syracuse has become a problem.
"They need to find out who's doing it, for one. I'm convinced it's the same person (who's robbing all the small businesses)," Kratzer said.
"I believe more frequent patrolling would help."
Kratzer will be buying an alarm system for his business now. He said he previously didn't have one because he didn't think he had to. He has been in the same location for eight years and this was the first time he ever had someone burglarize him.
"There seems to be a lot of them lately. I wouldn't think of this happening before," he said.
More than anything, Kratzer said, he was disappointed that he had to worry about his business being robbed.
"You can't just trust people anymore," he said. [[In-content Ad]]
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SYRACUSE - Small businesses in Syracuse may have to step up their security since a number of them have been the victims of thefts and burglaries.
One such business is Higgins Sport and Lawn Equipment. Pat Higgins, proprietor, said he has been hit six times in the last year.
"My gut feeling is that 50 percent is youth, but there are a large number of professionals who come into the area," Higgins said.
Higgins said the only way to solve the problem was for the Syracuse police to drive through the village and through the town at least once an hour. But, he said, he has contacted the state police to handle the investigation because the local police don't seem to put enough hours into the case.
"I feel that the state police will take more time to investigate them than the city," he said.
The biggest problem he said he sees is a lack of communication between the community and the police force. He said he didn't know why the police weren't helping him more and advising him on how to better protect his property. He also said the Syracuse council weren't focused enough on the real issues.
"They're more worried about trimming trees and Christmas decorations," Higgins said. "I'm more worried about crimes."
According to police reports, someone attempted to burglarize Higgins Sport and Lawn on Oct. 14. An attempt was made by the assailant to cut a hole in the side of the building. Phone wires and alarm wires were also found to be cut.
An actual theft of property occurred at Higgins' business Oct. 20. A Polaris ATV was stolen that belonged to Dallas Winchester, Milford. The estimated value was $4,799.
Chief Bill Endler, Syracuse Police Department, said the rash of thefts in the community follows a national trend of more thefts during the winter and holiday season. He said he does not see an increase this year over the past. He did say that the number of officers patroling increases during this time, though.
"I've got reserves coming in. Usually, they only work weekends but I have them coming in during the week," he said.
Endler said there were several recommendations he could give small businesses to help in the prevention of theft.
"The security would be the most important," he said.
He said they should always make sure windows and doors are locked. If possible, outside lighting should be installed as well as an alarm system.
Many thefts appear to occur in the "village."
Endler said, "It's not as well-lighted as uptown. There are more places to hide."
As for homes, Endler recommended about the same thing. Homeowners need to be more aware of the security aspect. He said people should have good locks on their doors and windows and have exterior lighting if at all possible.
"Make it look like someone is home," he said.
As for solving crimes, Endler said, the cases are always being investigated.
"We do get reports from pawn shops in Fort Wayne. I do make it a habit to check the local ones," he said.
"Once in a while you do get lucky and something does come up where you may solve 10 to 15 thefts at once."
As for the perpetrators of the recent thefts, Endler said, he could only guess at this point.
"I would certainly say that the method of operation appears to be the same," he said.
"I have no idea of the age of the perpetrator, to be honest. I wouldn't say they were professionals."
Other Syracuse businesses that have been hit by theft include Subway, Main Channel Marina, Cotton and Cotton, Farm Bureau Insurance Co. and Northern Lakes Family Medicine.
Dr. John Kratzer, proprietor of NLFM, said his business was burglarized sometime between 10:30 p.m. Nov. 22 and the morning of Nov. 23.
"My window was smashed and my office was trashed," Kratzer said.
His staff arrived first Monday and by the time he reported to his office, the police were already investigating. He said they were taking pictures and writing notes.
Kratzer believes that theft in Syracuse has become a problem.
"They need to find out who's doing it, for one. I'm convinced it's the same person (who's robbing all the small businesses)," Kratzer said.
"I believe more frequent patrolling would help."
Kratzer will be buying an alarm system for his business now. He said he previously didn't have one because he didn't think he had to. He has been in the same location for eight years and this was the first time he ever had someone burglarize him.
"There seems to be a lot of them lately. I wouldn't think of this happening before," he said.
More than anything, Kratzer said, he was disappointed that he had to worry about his business being robbed.
"You can't just trust people anymore," he said. [[In-content Ad]]