Germantown Alerts Residents of Increase in Home Burglaries
(Germantown, TN) Since May, the City of Germantown has seen on average more than one home burglary every three days.
That’s a noticeable increase since earlier this year.
Police have recorded 27 home burglaries between May 1st and July 9th.
A few more happened since then, including the incidents on the night of July 14th in the 1400 block of Brookside Drive.
Two young men, Joseph Lossing and John Machen, were arrested for breaking into two homes and 17 cars in one night.
Police said most of the burglaries are happening to the west of Germantown Road, and most incidents are happening during the day while people are at work.
“Crime’s moving more this way from the inner cities. You know, we have more people coming through this way. Transient people,” said Russell Knox, who so far has not seen any problems on his street.
Michele Riolo, who lives at the Bavarian Village condominiums, said, “Germantown itself sometimes has that perception that because it is Germantown, you’re not as vulnerable as other areas. But that’s not true. And we know that.”
Burglars broke into Riolo’s neighbor’s home and stole electronics. Since then, she’s been on guard.
“You have to make your target as hard as possible. You put locks on your patio gate. You put signs up. If necessary, you get a security company.”
The problem was enough for the city of Germantown to alert its residents through its website: HERE
Neighborhood watch captains then sent the memo to area homeowners’ associations.
“They’ll get the email, and then they’ll notify us, because not everybody signs up for the Germantown alerts,” Knox said.
Even though no break-ins have occurred on Knox’s street, he still reminds his daughter every day to lock the back door.
Germantown police are not sure if how many different burglars are still out there. Authorities ask all residents to take the proper precautions.
Some tips can be found on the city of Germantown website:
