The Island Water Park in Northwest Fresno has been a summer fun destination for families. But lately the parking lot has become a hot spot for burglars going from car to car.
Kristi Beck with the Island Water Park said, "One was successful, one wasn't and they used the same type of tool perhaps to break in, it was in the back of the Tahoe where the lock is."
The park has stepped up security and the Throughout Northwest Fresno, vehicle burglaries are up. In Northwest Fresno, vehicle burglaries have risen more than 25 percent compared to this time last year.
"That is a crime that continues to plague our city," Chief Dyer said. "Cars that are being broken into."
Officers with the northwest policing district say they are working with Island Water Park officials and other businesses to better patrol parking areas.
Michael Reid with the Fresno Police Department said, "It's an opportunity crime, so if they see something in there and there's a vehicle burglar in the area, then there's going to break a window and get that stuff relatively quickly."
Fresno homicides are also up to 34 this year, compared to 24 last year. The last four all occurring in the northwest policing district.
Just last Wednesday police say Tony Leon shot two women at the intersection of Vassar and Glenn, killing 18-year-old Nicole Jones.
Police Chief Jerry Dyer says the recent deployment of additional officers in gang "hot spots" is slowing down the violence.
Chief Dyer told Action News, "We're seeing reductions in not only shootings but aggravated assaults, burglaries in those areas, so the more police officers we can get out in the street, into those areas, during the crimes where those crimes are being committed, the better success we're going to have and that's what we're seeing."
June and July were the busiest months for violent crime in Northwest Fresno. But officers say they are seeing those numbers drop thanks to the increased patrol.
