Police ask public for help combating crime
Last week, Pat Lucas was mugged in her own neighborhood. She lives on the Syracuse's Northside and says it has become increasingly violent.
"A man and a woman, they just ran up on me, there is no respect anymore. I'm scared to go out at night," said Lucas.
Wednesday night, neighbors took their concerns directly to the Syracuse police chief. Some at the meeting were physically shaken by the recent spike in crime near their homes. One woman was crying after she told police about her recent problem with teenagers causing trouble on her street.
Police Chief Frank Fowler was up front with the crowd, saying the Northside has a problem. But police can't combat the crime without the communities help. Investigators showed the crowded room the faces of some of the wanted criminals, giving the neighbors a good look, at who they need to look out for. Police have linked a number of the recent crimes to the Highland Street Gang.
Syracuse cops have already rolled out a new strategy on the Northside, which includes more patrols. And Fowler says, it's working. Since it started burglaries are down 37 percent and car larcenies have been reduced 30 percent.
"Even though the numbers are down, I'm still not satisfied. One burglary is one burglary too many. And try telling someone who's house was burglarized that burglary is down. They're going to say not in my house," said Chief Fowler.
Police are asking the public to be vigilant in their neighborhoods, and report suspicious activity to them. You can call in tips to Syracuse Police at 442-5222.
