Ithaca (WSYR-TV) - It's being called the worst summer for burglaries in more than a decade in Tompkins County: People are dealing with break-ins at their homes, businesses and cars.
There have been 25 home and business burglaries and about 40 car break-ins in July.
“It's the worst I've seen in this particular time,” says Tompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill.
Money, electronics and tools are being stolen from homes, cars and businesses, mostly through an unlocked door or window. But other thieves are more brazen, opting to just shatter windows instead.
It's why Shirley Lacey, who’s lived in Dryden her entire life, is nervous.
“Everything that people take … you get to a point in your life when you just can't replace that stuff, and I get scared because I'm worried my garage might get broken into,” Lacey says.
Deputies are working in conjunction with other police agencies in the cities and villages; the main reason for that is because Meskill says the crime is so widespread that it’s not just contained to one neighborhood.
“Because criminals don't care, they cross municipal lines and jurisdictions all the time,” says Meskill.
Meskill says your best bet to avoid being a victim is simple: Lock everything up and keep anything valuable out of sight.
Deputies are patrolling as often as possible. They say if you see anything suspicious at all, call 911. They will follow up on every lead they get.
If you have any information about the burglaries, call the Tompkins County Sheriff's Department at 607-257-1345.
