Finding Crime with the Click of a Mouse

Being the nosey neighbor nowadays might be better than not knowing your neighbor at all. At least that’s how three burglars were caught about a year and half ago in Shorewood.

“...A gentleman called and said, 'Yeah I’m home today and I noticed across the street a car backed into the driveway and they are bringing a TV out the back door,'” Shorewood Police Chief David Banaszynski quoted the resident as saying. “We caught three burglars who were probably responsible for about 50 to 60 burglaries in the metro Milwaukee area.”

Shorewood resident Dan Ford called in about the suspicious activity that day and received a commendation for his actions.

Crime has waned in Shorewood compared to last year , but in addition to thanking the police, you might want to thank your neighbors.

Knowing and looking out for your neighbors can pay off especially during this time of year when presents and valuables are visible through most windows.

“Forty percent of our crime is due to unlocked doors, unlocked car doors, open garage doors, and bikes left out with no bike locks on them,” Banaszynski said. “Nixle helps in that way because they realize oh, there is crime here, maybe I should lock my doors tonight.”

Nixle, an online site used by Shorewood police to alert residents of a recent burglary or robbery in the community, is also utilized by other local police departments like the city of Milwaukee's.

Over the past six months alone, there have been 27 thefts from vehicles and five robberies in Shorewood, according to Crimereports.com. One of the goals for Shorewood police is to partner with the community to enhance the quality of life for all residents and buck the trend.

A local program, the Shorewood Connects Neighbors initiative, tries to foster connections in multiple ways, said the program’s facilitator and Shorewood resident Sue Kelley.

Kelley creates connections between neighbors by providing a “toolkit” which presents ideas to bring neighbors together such as a block party or an email list to contact one another.

Just last week, Kelley received an email from a resident two hours after their laptop was stolen out of their car and asked Kelley to send out an email out to everyone alerting them of the incident and to be wary of leaving anything unlocked.

“I think there is something to saying we’re watching out, we’re all in this together, and it’s a safer community,” said Kelley.

However, being a Shorewood resident for 22 years, Kelley said she has seen a change over the years in crime.

“It happens in places where you would think nobody would try and break into … people who commit crimes are becoming braver about it, which is unfortunate,” she said.

Technology connecting residents and police

One way residents can partner with the police is by using Nixle and Crimereports.com. Both provide free services to residents and allow them to pinpoint local crime in the area.

Residents can also submit tips or alerts on the site, if they witness something. They can even tweet or share crime alerts on Twitter and Facebook.

Crimereports allows users to look at all local crime or just certain crimes. For example, a user can look up all the theft that has happened in the past week, two weeks, or last six months.

In addition, a side bar is available to locate trends and give exact numbers of each of the crimes that happened. However, in depth details aren't available for all crimes.

According to Banaszynski, if a crime is reported, the site is updated within 24 hours.

“We’re trying to get it out there so they understand where the crime is, so they might watch better," he said.

In addition to plotting crime in the area in Crimereports, police send out alerts via Nixle.

Recently, police sent out a community message letting subscribers know that the Shorewood police joined the Booze and Belts Traffic and Safety Mobilization.

Furthermore, police use the site to notify residents know about bad accidents blocking streets or other road conditions. The site sent out an advisory on Dec. 1 to remind subscribers that winter parking regulations began.

“So far I can’t say Nixle has solved this crime or this crime, but it’s another option for us,” Banaszynski said. “We’re hoping everyone signs up because the more eyes out there the better off we are.”

Kelley agrees with banding together as a community.

“If you feel like you are in a real neighborhood, you are going to be happier, you are going to know people in the neighborhood, and you are going to watch out for one another,” she said.

New Year’s resolution

Kelley has some New Year’s goals for the Neighborhood Connects program. She hopes to start a spring clean up day and looking at making businesses in Shorewood more elderly friendly, in addition to starting a neighborhood mediation program so neighbors can solve conflicts using the program.

“I think we are on the cutting edge of becoming a more elder-friendly community and becoming a more neighborly place by taking these extra steps. So I’m glad to be here," Kelley said.

With 2012 right around the corner, Banaszynski hopes to continue the trend.

“We want to continue the reality and the perception that crime is on a decrease,” he said. “I can keep the crime rate low. I can do that by open communication and keeping the community talking to each other.”

Staying vigilant when walking around the village is key; Banaszynski recommends keeping your head up and not being a “penny walker.”

“Skip the penny, look up, because if you look at your attacker he is going to be afraid to attack you because you know what he looks like,” Banaszynski said.

The Shorewood Police are also hoping to focus more on crime prevention since the crime prevention officer left a year and half ago. They are hoping to implement the neighborhood watch again once they can replace the officer position. In addition, they are looking forward to next summer at keeping Atwater Beach safe in the evening now that construction is over.

“You know right now, we’re doing real well. The whole North Shore is. It’s a good place to live, work, and play,” said Banaszynski.