Car thefts, break-ins spark concern in South Philadelphia as police increase patrols

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Neighbors in South Philadelphia say certain areas have become a hotspot for car thefts and break-ins, prompting increased police patrols and renewed concern among residents.

Front Street and a free parking lot underneath I-95 in Pennsport show signs of repeated crime, with broken glass scattered across the ground, and vehicles with missing tires.

Police say they are increasing their presence in the area in an effort to deter thieves.

"Three times I've had my car stolen from this neighborhood," said Steve Skinner of South Philadelphia.

Skinner those thefts include two from the lot at Front and Christian streets.

"It was locked and it was gated, they have a little gate over there, but still got stolen," Skinner said.

He said his vehicle, a 1997 Toyota Corolla with high mileage, was an unlikely target.

"It had about 380,000 miles on it. Stick shift," he said.

Still, Skinner is among a growing number of drivers affected by thefts and break-ins across the area.

Surveillance video from two weeks ago shows a person pacing back and forth on the 1500 block of South 12th Street before eventually entering a Honda CRV and driving away.

Eugene Desyatnik, president of the Bella Vista Neighbors Association, said some thieves are using technology to gain access to vehicles without traditional keys.

"They're using advanced technology like the relays, which you don't have to be in proximity to the vehicle to access the vehicle," Desyatnik said. "As soon as you walk up next to it, it'll automatically unlock for you because it notices your presence at the vehicle."

At the free lot under 95, a red car was left with all four tires stolen and its windows smashed on Tuesday night. Around the same time, a Ford pickup truck also had its tires stolen and was later towed away.

Patrick Fitzmaurice, president of the Pennsport Civic Association, said residents are increasingly frustrated.

"We perceive that there's been an uptick in property crime and that's really focused on car thefts, so people stealing cars outright, and also people stealing things from the cars," Fitzmaurice said.

"I know yesterday there were about four cars that were aware of that were broken into or had their wheels stolen," he said.

Residents have raised safety concerns, particularly in areas near the highway.

"People raise the issues about not feeling safe or secure with their property, either in the neighborhood itself or certainly parking their cars along the I-95 corridor. Not just under 95, but along Front Street, on the street itself," Fitzmaurice said.

He added that the neighborhood's proximity to highway access points makes it easier for thieves to flee.

"Obviously, we have an on-ramp right there, so it's really easy for people to get in and out of the neighborhood, come and steal whatever they want to steal and drive away," he added.

Philadelphia police addressed the issue during a community meeting on Wednesday night and said they are increasing patrols in the area.

"Police said last night that they're gonna have increased patrolling, they've asked that the officers who might be doing paperwork in their car go under 95 or around the I-95 corridor to do that paperwork just so that people see that the police are there," Fitzmaurice said.

He said the community is hopeful those efforts will help.

"I know they've said they've been having officers try to catch people under there and that they almost caught somebody just a few nights ago, so the civic association and the community at large are really looking forward to the efforts that are being made," Fitzmaurice said.