We’ve read plenty of reports about thefts at local residences and heard plenty talk about a rash of break-ins in various neighborhoods in this area.

Still many have expressed shock at a map in Thursday’s Daily Iberian showing 18 burglaries or attempted burglaries in one small neighborhood in New Iberia just this year. That seven of those burglaries were reported in October is even more troubling.

Eighteen burglaries in a 10-month period is almost two a month, a big number in an area that only includes a few blocks, even more of a surprise for a quiet, upper middleclass neighborhood.

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Although the number of reported burglaries in this small area is troubling, that several residents say the thefts occurred while they were at home is even worse, showing the thief or thieves isn’t worried about a run-in with residents.

 Thursday’s story told of one resident who awoke during the night to find an intruder at the foot of her bed. Luckily he only took a purse and debit card before fleeing with the assistance of an accomplice waiting outside.

New Iberia’s mayor lives in the affected area, and has seen her own home twice be the target of break-ins recently, one while she and her family were at home when they heard someone trying to gain entrance at the front and rear doors.

Other neighborhoods were mentioned in the story as having their own rash of burglaries and most of us have heard horror stories from friends or neighbors who’ve been victimized.

It was good to read that there are nearly three times as many deputies patrolling city streets as a year ago and that patrol efforts in affected neighborhoods have been increased.

Clearly more needs to be done to deter the increasing thefts.

When the Sheriff’s Office catches suspects for these crimes, hopefully it will alert the news media and make a bit of a to-do about the arrests, to help spread the word that there are consequences to these actions.

But clearly it’s going to take more than just increased patrols to really deter these brazen thieves.

We’ve seen recent reports where neighborhoods are having meetings so that residents get better acquainted and can do more to watch out for one another’s home and property.

Neighbors do need to be more attentive about strange vehicles and strange people in the area, and call deputies sooner not later, to report suspicious behavior.

We’ve seen reminders that homeowners need to install outdoor lighting, keep doors, windows and vehicles locked, and take other steps to make their home less attractive to would-be thieves.

We all need to do our part to work with law enforcement to secure our neighborhoods, lest we see even more maps showing even more problems in future reports.

WILL CHAPMAN

PUBLISHER