Green Bay neighborhoods hit with break-ins for past 2 months

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Three Green Bay neighborhoods are pulling together to address a string of burglaries.

Police say more than half a dozen break-ins have happened in the Colburn, Marquette Park and Olde Norwood neighborhoods on the city’s southwest side since December 4.

“We’re processing them still. We’re still having a quite a bit of evidence we’re working through with forensics, and that’s about where we’re at with the investigation,” Lt. Jason Allen said.

Police recently learned about a 7th burglary. At a neighborhood meeting Monday night, they said the break-in didn’t appear to be very recent and the prints they found weren’t fresh. The homeowner had been away.

Police said the burglar or burglaries break in through a back door or basement window. Electronics, money and clothes are just a few of the stolen belongings. Officers noted the burglar could be someone from the neighborhood.

Police are encouraging neighbors to be vigilant and take precautions, such as locking doors and windows; installing a security camera, motion-activated lights, and outdoor flood lights; and keeping a light on in the house when you’re away from home. Homeowners can invest in “Beware of Dog” signs or security signs to deter a thief.

“The bottom line is to make sure you have all your valuables secured,” Lt. Allen said, suggesting, “Take photographs of the serial numbers, take photographs of your valuables.”

They also suggested keeping shrubs no taller than 24 inches and tree canopies no lower than 6 feet to eliminate hiding places.

And if you think you saw a vehicle or anything suspicious, call police. They’d rather come for nothing than have it be too late.

Officers further suggested using the Neighborhood or Ring Neighbor mobile app as a way to stay up-to-date on what’s happening around your location.

Abby Brezinski is president of the Olde Norwood Neighborhood Association. She said the meeting would be an outlet for neighbors to ask questions and learn how to discourage more break-ins.

“Communication is always key. The more information, the more discussions we can have around the topic, it keeps it top of mind so that we can be looking out for our neighbors, but also remembering, ‘Hey, did I lock my back door? Does it look like I’m gone for a week?’ -- those proactive things that we know but aren’t necessarily top of mind,” she said.

Green Bay police are encouraging anyone with information about the burglaries to give them a call.

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