SHELBY COUNTY, Ind. – Hundreds of people in Shelby County attended a crime prevention meeting Wednesday as the number of home breaks-ins have spiked within the past few months.
The meeting, planned by residents who expressed concern for their safety, included discussion on actionable items homeowners can do to prevent crime. About 20 thefts were reported within the past two months from cars, sheds and barns.
Attendees of the meeting stressed adding extra security if possible.
"There was a cluster that happened around my property,” said Barbara Meier. "I'm a little more careful. I check more. I've always been one where I turn on the alarm."
Moral Township trustee Lyle Lepper said the last few months of crime has been the worst he’s seen in the 60 years he’s lived in the area.
“That's what we're afraid of, that somebody's going to get shot," he said.
Lepper said he hopes the meeting sends a message to criminals involved.
"They will see that we're doing something about it, we're not just going to sit back and not do anything,” said Lepper. “We're going to try and have everybody on high alert and watching out for them and basically if we see ya, we're going to report you."
