Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-04-15

area between Lake street and
Park Av.. have caused residents
may protect their belongings al
thieves.
For years in this area erin
ms were negligible. Residents
without fear Of thefts.
In the past two years the pattern
has been changing. Area residents
who formerly left their cars I'M
locked, now lock them. Persons
who did not bother to even hook
window-screens in the summer
now are more careful.
Merchants in the neighborhood
have found the break-ins are in
creasing burglary insurance rates.
A store on East 45th St., has
been broken into five times in the
past five months. Tuesday the Min
neapolis STAR and TRIBUNE
paper box coin box at the corner
of Fourth Av. S. and 18th was
broken open and the money stolen.
Residents Of the neighborhood
have noticed a developing pattern
which occurs shortly before homes
are burglarized.
Some of them have observed
an increase in telephone calls in
which the caller hangs up, when
the phone Is answered. Police say
this is a method by which some
thieves, especially those who live
In the neighborhood use to case"
the homes Of their victims.
Some Of the break-Ins which
have occurred have been traced
10 Juveniles In the neighbOrhOOd.
A number Of them have been
arrested but usually they have
been returned b the custody Of
their parents. Some Of them have
dismissed their escapaAes with
laughter.
Some Of these same youths are
seen around the streets at all times
Of the night In the AREA. .-
The latest home robbed was the
Harold Wright residence at 1909
Portland Av. s., where the thieves
broke the glass in the front door
and entered the home Friday
night, April 8, between 8 pm. and
8 pm.
The Wrights lost a diamond
ring valued at several hundred
dollars and n portable TV.
Thieves were frightened away
from the Jessie Shepard residence
at 1928 Fifth Av. s., a few weeks
ago.
The Don Underwood home at
4437 Fifth Av. s., was burglarized
in the daytime about four weeks
ago and a number Of other break
ms have occurred in the neighbor-
hood.
The South Central Improvement
Assn. plans to discuss the growing
problem at a coming meeting.
Carpenters Dairy Store at the
corner of 3Sth & Third Av. s., has
been robbed four times in the past
six months, the most recent bur-
glary occurred last week.
Providers are reported to have
entered the home Of Mr.. and
Mrs. ID. H HammOnds, 4S16
Third Av. s., recently.
A group of householders are
considering asking more police
activity in the neighborhood. There
has also been a suggestion that
a private police patrol agency be
employed to supplement the tours
Of regular police squad cars In the
neighborhoods.
The problem Is made more DIFF
ficult by the fact that those sus-
pected Of committing the crimes
are residents Of the district or
contiguous areas.
Police officials have suggested
to people in the district who have
complained about the growing
crime rate that householders them
selves should report all suspicious
in the neighborhood, be
sure to leave lights on in the
homes when absent. Many thieves
will not enter homes in which there
are lights.
Householders are also now be-
ginning to ask neighbors to keep
check on adjacent homes when &C.
are away.
Parents Of teen-agers are also
being advised TO check more
closely ON what the children are