Barton Creek Greenbelt guests report elevated crime
Crime alongside the Barton Creek Greenbelt has elevated, in keeping with frequent guests who reported damaged glass and discovering stolen gadgets, equivalent to purses, baggage, drivers licenses, passports and bank cards.
AUSTIN, Texas – Crime alongside the Barton Creek Greenbelt has elevated in keeping with frequent guests.
“While you stroll down the parking zone, there’s damaged glass at each parking web site. It is clearly one thing that occurs quite a bit,” mentioned David Kauffman.
Identical to many others, Kauffman is a frequent customer of the Barton Creek Greenbelt. “It is only a lovely path. It is properly maintained,” mentioned Kauffman.
Final week, Kauffman mentioned he and his household stumbled throughout a automotive with a shattered window, however that was not probably the most surprising discovery his household made that day.
“My youngsters approach down additional within the parking zone, they [said], ‘hey, there’s some purses right here’ and so they discovered an entire bunch of luggage within the woods simply past the parking zone,” he mentioned.
They found a number of baggage had been thrown within the close by path that have been clearly stolen. “There have been driver’s licenses, there was a passport, a Mexican journey visa, clearly bank cards,” mentioned Kauffman.
Kauffman mentioned he instantly known as 911, however was transferred to 311 to submit a report.
“They mentioned that they might file a request for proof pickup and that it might take as much as 24 hours for the police to contact me after which they might choose it up. That appeared like a very long time,” mentioned Kauffman.
He determined to take issues into his personal arms. Whereas he waited for police to choose up the lacking baggage, Kauffman mentioned he and his daughter began to do their very own investigation and have been capable of contact a very good variety of house owners of the misplaced gadgets.
“We ended up returning issues to 5 folks and so, by the point the police picked it up, we nonetheless had like two or three baggage and nonetheless had two driver’s licenses,” he mentioned.
Kauffman mentioned police picked up the remaining gadgets 5 days after he reported it to 311.
He believes extra surveillance needs to be utilized to this widespread climbing spot and that may be cameras or elevated patrol. He would additionally like APD to implement some form of misplaced and located system.
Till then, he has just a few takeaways as an avid greenbelt customer.
“The primary factor is to cover your valuables or not have your valuables with you,” mentioned Kauffman.
The Austin Police Division launched an announcement to FOX 7 Austin:
APD works diligently to analyze all crimes which might be reported to the police division. We advise residents and guests to at all times take precautions and pay attention to their environment to attempt to keep away from changing into the sufferer of a criminal offense.
Listed here are some ideas for neighborhood members:
• Don’t depart something of worth in your car.
• By no means depart or retailer firearms or ammunition in a car
• Hold any baggage or valuables out of sight earlier than you arrive at your vacation spot (keep in mind, the BOV suspect is at all times watching)
• Park in well-lit and well-populated areas
• In the event you can, park in an space you already know is monitored by cameras
