WASHINGTON — 'Tis the season for package thefts, and one neighborhood in D.C. has seen an increase during the holidays.
Neighbors said it has become a common sight in their Northeast neighborhood these days to see young men breaking and entering homes and cars.
“Just frightening for me, because I have never had a problem in D.C., and I’ve been in D.C. for like 13 years," said Gloria Washington, who has lived in the area near the new Parkside Apartments for about two years.
Police data shows multiple thefts have happened nearby in the past few months.
Multiple neighbors have caught alleged thieves on video, with their security cameras and video doorbells.
Footage from one man on Foote Street even shows four young men trying to kick in and then climb in the window of a condo.
That very neighbor said he had three packages stolen from his doorstep this year. Now, he said he gets them delivered to a dropbox off-site.
“I’ve seen a lot of activity increase here lately as it’s approached the holiday season," said Micah Kidd, the President of the Parkside Homeowners' Association.
He has lived in the complex since it was built a few years ago.
“It’s a part of living in the city," said Kidd. "Unfortunately, you can’t create a barrier for every community.”
Gloria Washington, who lives a few blocks away, found herself a victim right before Thanksgiving.
“Someone threw a brick through my window and basically broke into my house and stole all my electronics except for my TV," she said.
Washington said the thieves took three laptops, a tablet, and her purse. She said police have yet to inform her of any arrests.
Washington is one of many victims, though.
Total property crime in the last two months has tripled the number the same area saw last year during that time period, according to D.C. police data, from six incidents to 21.
Since the end of October, data shows there have been 18 thefts, thefts from cars and burglaries, compared to four reported crimes during the same time span.
Neighbors, like Washington, have been taking it upon themselves to fight back, installing cameras and video doorbells to at least catch the culprits in the act.
“I’m staying diligent with my cameras," she said. "I have an alarm, and I’m constantly checking them. I’m becoming paranoid.”
WUSA 9 reached out to police last week to confirm the incidents and find out if any official arrests have been made, and is waiting to hear back.