Burglaries continue through summer

By By Erin Hilsabeck / staff writer
July 17, 2004
The temperature isn't the only thing on the rise this month in Lauderdale County, so is crime, according to local law enforcement officials.
Since July 1, at least 70 burglaries have occurred in homes, businesses and automobiles in Meridian.
Harper said there has been about a 25 percent increase in burglaries this month. He said the cause of the rise in burglaries is unclear.
Harper said the MPD is taking special measures to curb burglaries, but he said he could not discuss the specifics of what's being done.
Harper also warned that burglary is a felony crime, and carries a minimum of five years in prison for those arrested and convicted.
Burglars, though, have risked the penalties and continue to strike Meridian. Some have also targeted more rural areas in Lauderdale County, miles away from the city lights.
Mark Curry, who lives near Lauderdale in northeast Lauderdale County, said his neighbors' home was burglarized on July 4.
Though vandals could have taken more expensive items, they only made off with a wallet, a cell phone and a gold watch, Curry said.
He said his neighbors have since taken steps to protect themselves and have installed a home security system.
Chief Deputy Mike Mitchell of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department said while there have been some burglaries, there has been no particular increase. And, Mitchell said, there normally aren't as many commercial burglaries in the county because most of the county's businesses are inside the city limits.
Mitchell offered a few suggestions to residents that could help them reduce the risk of being burglarized.