The burglary and robbery rates in a Central Ohio city are outpacing all reported cases in 2010.
It's an issue with roots in the growing opiate addiction sweeping through Fairfield County and police and community blockwatch captains are tackling the problem.
As the Utica Block Watch captain in Lancaster, Debbie Probasco is well aware of the crimes happening in her neighborhood.
"Most of the concern here is dealing with the drugs. It's almost something I hear about daily. I get emails, people talk to me on Facebook," Probasco said.
The demand for drugs is the catalyst behind a significant spike in burglaries and robberies in Lancaster for the first half of the year.
Lancaster Police Deputy Chief Don McDaniel said the department's directive patrol unit handles most of the cases, putting officers in neighborhoods with the highest burglaries and robberies.
For the first quarter of 2011, 80 burglaries were reported, compared to 43 that were reported in 2010.
In the second quarter, burglaries soared to 101 and with 38 breaking and entering reports, the number reached 139. In 2010, only 82 of those crimes were investigated.
As for robberies, the second quarter of 2011 saw a spike in activity up to 21 offenses, compared to 10 last year.
Probasco said that with 20 known drug houses in the Utica Block Watch area, businesses and homes have become easy targets. Someone broke into a church mission, taking hundreds of dollars.
As a lifelong Lancaster native, Probasco said that watching the crimes tear apart families and the community has been challenging.
"I've seen young girls, 15, 14 years old, hooked on these drugs and it's hard to watch. It's heartbreaking," she said.
For additional information, stay with NBC4 and refresh nbc4i.com.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
MORE: NBC4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
