Residents of Temple Valley on the East side are on edge after residents say they’ve seen a recent rash of illegal car break-ins and thefts in their community.
"It’s a real family community area so it’s nice and safe, but now all the sudden all these things are happening and we don’t know what’s going on," said Shelly Geiter, who lives in the community.
"They were up by the tennis courts and one of the backpacks was stolen."
"From the last six months, you know, we have increased in car break-ins, and I guess auto theft too," said another resident, Ellsworth Simeona.
Residents from this area say that car break-ins are happening on the street. Some are even getting closer to home.
"I know for me, I had my car stolen from right out of my driveway. One day I came out and my car was gone," said Simeona.
Honolulu Police Department officials say they’ve seen an incremental increase in motor vehicle thefts over the past few months.
"After my car was stolen, you feel like you are not even safe at home, you know, cause they stole my car. That’s one step from breaking in to the house, and that’s our personal safety," said Simeona.
HPD says they plan to increase police patrols in the area and encourage residents to step up neighborhood watches and report illegal activity.
"I know they have neighborhood watch around this area so I know they are trying to at least keep an eye out for each other."
Several residents say their cars were stolen within the past seven days. Some have gone so far as to post signs in the neighborhood alerting others and calling out possible suspects.
"There’s a car that has been driving around and so we have been looking out for that," said Geiter.
"I used to leave my back door unlocked every night and during the day when I’d leave, but I don’t do that anymore. I always close it and lock it."
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
