Burglary Uptick in SyracuseBurglary Uptick in Syracuse
Burglaries have more than doubled in the southeast district.
By
Ben Spector
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – The threat of crime has always been high in the Syracuse area. The city is one of the most exposed to crime in all of the United States. Recently, that has most certainly been the case.
Syracuse police released a report saying that the city’s burglary numbers have increased by 48 percent in the last year. That specific number is 547 in 2021 to 811 up to this point in 2022. Syracuse police also found that the southeast district, which consists of Syracuse University and Le Moyne College, had burglary numbers more than double. Homeowner Andrew Piron, who has owned a place in Central New York since 2014, says he isn’t surprised by the spike in totals.
“The largest concentration of poverty is right over [the SU] hill,” Piron said. “With poverty comes crime. So it isn’t too hard to believe.”
Piron went on to note that while the crime numbers have highs and lows, it’s pretty typical. Because of this thought process, Piron will continue to protect himself the way he always does.
“I used to live in New York City,” Piron said. “You never wanted to give the thieves anything to go after. You empty your cars out, shut the shades at nighttime in the house, make sure doors are locked. Keep the traffic down in the house, if people are coming in.”
Some homeowners are on their toes, but business owners are also on high alert. On Walton Street just last week, there were three reported burglaries or burglary attempts. Andrew Mazzoni, owner of Sweet on Chocolate on Walton Street, noted that he is taking notes.
“It does feel different when it is on your block,” Mazzoni said. “When someone gets hit on your street, your guard goes up a little bit more.”
Mazzoni and Piron both feel that they should be taking more caution with their belongings and valuables, but are also not too surprised by the recent statistics.
ANC:Burglaries all over Central New York have increased over the past year, leaving residents frightened. N-C-C News’ Ben Spector details the ongoing trends.
SPECTOR: Locking your door…and making sure you completed the job. It might seem like a simple part of your day, but in reality, it can actually save you from being a victim of a burglary.
PIRON: I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this bad.
SPECTOR: Andrew Piron has been a homeowner here in the city of Syracuse since 2014. The city has one of the highest crime rates in America, and based on what Piron sees everyday, people should be aware.
PIRON: You never wanted to give the thieves anything to go after. So basically empty your cars out, shut the shades at night time, lock the doors…things like that
SPECTOR: Whether residents take care of their belongings or not, the uptick in burglaries doesn’t seem like much of a surprise.
PIRON: The largest concentration of poverty is just over that hill. It’s a slow stroll from the campus. So, with poverty comes crime and it is not too hard to believe.
SPECTOR: Syracuse Police say burglaries in Syracuse have risen nearly 50 percent over the last year and have more than doubled in the southeast district, which includes Syracuse University and Le Moyne College. But homeowners in the area aren’t the only ones affected (WALK) burglaries have now made their way to local businesses.
MAZZONI: When someone gets hit on your street, you’re on high alert.
SPECTOR: Adam Mazzoni has been the owner of Sweet On Chocolate on Walton Street for four years. Just last week, three other businesses on his block were targeted in burglaries. But if you walk into his store, the bells will ring.
MAZZONI: When we were a smaller business, maybe we only needed one person to be here. If that person is in the back making chocolate or doing the dishes, they might not hear someone come in and that’s a risk.
SPECTOR: But the ongoing trend has some businesses feeling…
