Rash of Car Break-Ins Hits Township

The neighborhood of The Vistas in South Whitehall has been hit by a rash of car break-ins, prompting the condo association there to request a police seminar on crime prevention for residents.

* Six thefts from vehicles were reported on July 30, July 31 and Aug. 1 in the 5200 block of Chandler Way. Taken were four GPS units, an iPod, cash and sunglasses, South Whitehall police said.

* Four break-ins were reported on July 31 in the 1800 block of Hemming Way. Taken were a 9 mm handgun and golf clubs; a GPS unit, and two pairs of sunglasses. 

 Officer Jeff Natysyn, who coordinates the township's two with Officer Stephen Brown, said most residents in the Vistas neighborhood don't have garages. They park their cars outdoors, in driveways or on the street.

"It's almost like an open invitation for anyone walking around there to look inside the cars and actually try the doors to see if they are locked or unlocked," Natysyn said.

Vistas Condo Association President Jon Schwartz said another possible reason for the break-ins is poor lighting; houses there are still under construction.

The condo board decided the best way to prevent future break-ins would be to have the South Whitehall Police Department talk to residents about ways to prevent crime.

Natysyn said precautions are:

* Lock your car doors.

* Don't leave valuables out in the open.

"The biggest thing is that nobody locks their cars anymore," he said. "If anybody is walking past they can see change in the cup holder, if you have your wallet laying there, if you have your purse laying there sunglasses, GPS units. These are things everybody wants."

The officers will present safety tips when they meet with residents of the Vistas tonight, Aug. 11, at 7 in the public hearing room at the South Whitehall Municipal Building. The condo association members also plan to discuss safety methods with residents.

"We will talk as a community to come up with solutions to keep everyone safe and be cost effective," Schwartz said.

Since the series of car break-ins at The Vistas at the end of July, there have been more cases reported in the township:

* Reported at 7:42 a.m. on Aug. 4 in the 2000 block of West Fairmont Street; tires, hubcaps, and wheels taken.

* Reported at 11:27 a.m. on Aug. 5 in the 1200 block of North 25th Street; cell phone taken.

* Two thefts from vehicles reported between 6:18 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 8 in the 1000 block of Danweber Way; purse, debit card, and loose change taken.

* Reported at 8:05 a.m. on Aug. 8 in the 3300 block of Cambridge Court; loose change taken.

* Reported at 7:17 a.m. on Aug. 8 on the 4300 block of Schaller Drive; loose change taken.

* Reported between 8:26 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. on Aug. 8 in the 1100 block of Jervin Drive; loose change taken.

* Reported at 1:21 p.m. on Aug. 8 in the 1100 block of 35th Street; loose change taken.

* Reported at 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 8 in the 1200 block of North 26th Street; GPS taken.