Posted by turtle (anonymous) on July 29, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mrs. Carpenter is so right, it could have been much worse. I know the Carpenters and am very thankful their son wasn't injured or worse during this. Hopefully the culprits will be caught and punished accordingly.

Posted by alexh (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That neighborhood is an example of what happens when college kids invade a residential neighborhood. That used to be a great neighborhood but over the past 3-5 years it has been quickly turning into a ghetto with unkept yards and rising crime.

Posted by Ramsey (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

@alexh

I hardly think that Sherwood Avenue is a ghetto. There may be a few college students on Sherwood but they do not appear to be a "partying" bunch and the one unkept yard has been owned and occupied by a family for thirty plus years!

The request that I hear from these residents is that we as a society would be more observant of who is on our streets, that we would take necessary precautions with our property, and that we look out for each other!

I hope the Troy Police Department will catch them and prosecute them!

Posted by CHTU (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

alexh: Are you serious? I'm assuming that any burglary that happens anywhere close to campus is the result of "college kids invading". Give me a break! Like Ramsey said, Sherwood is hardly a ghetto, however, no matter where you live break-ins are almost inevitable at some point. Please do us a favor & keep your ignorance to yourself.

Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Numerous government and municipal studies show that ncreases in crime are linked to neighborhood density and income. Apartments targeted at college students are near the low income scale. The rezoning and illegal renting in this subdivision is a real threat to neighborhood safety.

Maybe some of us aren't as ignorant as you think.

Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I saw all of the police cars earlier that day and wondered what was going on. Then neighbors started calling for us to be on alert. Scary stuff. Thank God no one was hurt.

Posted by CHTU (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ZZ: We all know what studies have shown, however, Sherwood is not the street that was recently rezoned & if you will notice Ramsey's comments above you would realize that college students haven't been & aren't a problem on Sherwood. I was simply saying that automatically linking any crime that happens even remotely close to the university with "college students invading" is ignorant. With or without the university or the rezoning, crime would still occur. It happens in almost every part of Troy regardless of the income level or density of population. In fact, if you would do some research locally you would realize that in these apartment complexes, crime like this tends to happen when students are gone, when the "density" of population is down. Times like Christmas break, spring break, summer break, etc. In areas like this college students actually can serve as a deterrent. It is proven that these areas become much more vulnerable when the students are gone.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CHTU,your fighting a losing battle.

Posted by fanoftroy (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I live on Homewood which is 2 streets above Sherwood and regardless of zoning, we have college students throughout our entire neighborhood. I walk every morning and you can see the houses that are occupied by college students on Homewood, Glenwood, and Sherwood. Often they have several cars parked in the street and in the yards, trash in their yards, and a few houses even have sofas on their porches. It is not ignorant to say that college students come with crime and it is not ignorant to say college kids have invaded our neighborhood over the past few years. I have lived here for more than 20 years and I have seen what has happened to this nieghborhood as these college students have breezed in recently. They are taking our nice family friendly subdivision to hell in a hand basket and our property values are going with them

Posted by Linden (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I understand why people may not want college kids living in their neighborhood, but that was an unfair statement, alexh.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Who is the council member for that district?

Posted by CHTU (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Linden: Thank you for coming along! I agree completely!

My point was nothing more than to say it is unfair to automatically assume that all crime that happens in these areas are because of the university or college students. Crime happened in these areas well before Troy University was what it is today or what it will be. In no way are these streets or this neighborhood crime havens. If this was the case, I would assume everyone would have already moved on to a safer place. It is simply proposterous to start blaming every crime & isolated incident on college students or the city for rezoning Highland. Crime has happened & will happen regardless of the zone of 1 street or whether a few college kids live on your street or not.

Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No I don't believe the college students are the thieves, but they are definitely the targets. In the many years I have lived in my house, the only break-in was this past year when some college students' house were broken into while they were on spring break.

And that is another reason I don't want college kids living in my neighborhood. I don't want the thieves getting confused and thinking college students live in my house because I am surrounded by them. I don't want to come home one evening and find $10,000 worth of my stuff missing like those kids did.

Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Personally, I don't think the crimes committed were college student related. Just my hunch, but I think that it's people who have done this before and case neighborhoods for their seclusion (woods in the back in this instance) and ease of access. Obviously they had cased the places ahead of time, since it appears that they knew when the people were gone and what their vehicles looked like. Plus they were in and out in a short period of time. A fairly organized bunch of criminals.
Also, WDM, I went back and read the comments on the other story and I must apologize. I took one of your comments (but not the "be careful" comment the wrong way. After reading the comment before that I understand what you were talking about. You were talking about Jonas' mother-in-law, and your own, not me. Anyway, I was going to apologize but the article went away with the new stories and I couldn't find it.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dragonlady, no hard feelings!

Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CHTU, Sherwood is a part of the Ridgewood subdivision that is no longer a R-1 residential neighborhood; it contains R-1 AND R-3 lots. It has been spot-zoned and we expect the illegal development/renting to increase as a result of the city's betrayal of this subdivision. The message being sent is that good safe neighborhoods are not important anymore. That's why this article about break-ins on Sherwood is very relevant to the issue. Did you know that other break-ins and property crimes have been occurring recently in this neighborhood?

I'd be happy to agree with you that most college students are not criminals. But apartment complexes attract crime because there are more victims and no noisy neighbors. Well-managed apartment complexes are an exception, but there is no provision in our city's code to require good landlord behavior and no guarantee to the residents of this community. We've asked the city to stop illegal renting in this neighborhood, but it continues to ignore code violations.

Yes, crime happens in every part of Troy, but statistically, it happens less in better neighborhoods. High density multi-tenant dwellings combined with lower income tenants (i.e. students) = crime. For analysis, see the "Indianapolis Study" at the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment. We need only to look at the deterioration of the Elm Street neighborhood to see what lies in store for us unless someone at City Hall gets a clue and stands up for the rights of homeowners.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First off let me say I understand how some of you feel about college kids liveing in your neighborhoods or at least the ones causeing problems.But instead of setting at a computer complaining to people that can't do anything about it why not spend that time going door to door and organize a large group from each street and when the council meets twice a month have 100 or 200 people show up at each meeting.Plus keep your councilman's phone ringing.
Remember the old saying together we stand! It has to be more of you guys than there are landlords.And don't say it won't work untill you at least try for a few months.

Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that all residents of the Ridgewood, College Heights, Dozier Estates and other R-1 neighborhoods throughout the city should attend the next Troy City council meeting on August 11 and ask the city to address the zoning violations in our neighborhoods.

Anyone with me?

Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WDM, thank you for accepting the apology. I would have totally understood if you hadn't.
Now...on to the news...
This is my other hunch, I think the thieves either were on this street recently doing either yard work, construction or passing out flyers for yard work, magazine sales etc. But while they were doing those things, they were taking notes on what houses to get into. There have been other break-ins on streets near us, it would be interesting to know if anyone in the area had recently changed who they had do their yard, had any work done, or had someone stop by to inquire about yard work. Not too long ago someone came to the door asking about yard work and I wasn't too pleasant because I don't like door to door solicitors. And more recently, someone had taped something to our door knob about other such things.
But, this is all just speculation, and my armchair detective thoughts.

Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll go! Someone might have to tape my mouth shut or something...lol...but I'll go.

Posted by BeachGirl (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i love how people always blame college kids..MOST college kids are trying to get a good education and you should be appreciating that instead of saying oh my god theres college kids in our neighborhood. where do you expect them to live???? want to put out boxes for them to stay in on the streets?? Grow up Alexh...

chances are the people who did this arent even from around that neighborhood. wait and see who it is before placing the blame on a student. most of us were students at one time or the other..

Posted by Trojan88 (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I happen to be one of those college students that lives on one of those roads and last time I checked, there are 2 cars at my house, neither of which are in the road, there's NO trash in my yard, and NO couch outside my house. Before any of you go blaming the crime on college students, please get to know those in your neighborhood. If we're in there, we're more than likely NOT the ones causing problems. And by the way, Sherwood and all the surrounding neighborhoods are FAR from ghetto. Stop sounding ignorant by saying this like that and get to know your neighbors!!!

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ZZ wonder how many of your neighbors saw that comment.That isn't the same as going door to door.

Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point, WDM. Thank you.

Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah that's right it wasn't college kids drunk and fighting in my yard at 3:00 in the morning one time, or uriniating off their front porch another time or firing off fireworks in the middle of the street at midnight one night or throwing loud drunk fests every fall with one ending with about half a dozen of them being escorted away by Troy police...oh wait...actually it was...and they were all living in our R-1 zoned neighborhood ILLEGALLY.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dragonlady,you may be right with what you said,and I think monk will agree with me that people just ride around as they say caseing houses watching for what time people leave and return home how many live in a certain house are the people next door or across the street gone at the same time.The article stated the breakin was between 8:15 and 9AM so who ever did it knew what time they left for work.What worries me is a 14 year old boy was at home at the time.

Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Beachgirl, there are plenty of places for college students to live that are not R-1. Check out the zoning map at city hall. And we're not blaming college students for the crimes in this neighborhood. We are saying that more crime happens in high-density neighborhoods, especially where income is low, so rich college students are obviously not the problem.

Trojan88 - No one is attacking ALL the college students at TROY. According to the zoning code, the intent of the R-1 Low-density residential district is to provide a quality living environment through the provision of land for low residential uses consisting of single family dwellings and essential community services supporting that use (i.e. churchs, schools, hospital, etc.) We want to be good neighbors and my family welcomes any family (college age or otherwise) into my neighborhood. The problem is when a bunch of unrelated students get together and rent out a single family home; if it has 5 bedrooms, then there are 5 tenants and 5 stereos and 5 cars plus associated boyfriends/girlfriends and visitors.

Thank you for being a good neighbor, and know that I'll be watching out for the safety of your cars, house and property during this recent crime wave, because that's what good neighbors do.

Posted by hosskatbama (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you ask me, I think both houses were targeted simply b/c of their location. Both houses back up to the woods, and it would have been extremely easy for someone to park at either Franklin Field or the Health Department and make their way through the woods to these two homes. I don't think it's b/c the neighborhood, or the fact that College Kids are moving in. I lived on Merrily Dr a for a number of years, and that neighborhood was saturated with College Students. Crime was never a factor while I was there. I just think that this was a random act, and these theives realized they had an easy entrance and escape by hitting these houses. I do know that the TPD worked this crime scene very well, and that fingerprints were taken and are currently being examined. Hopefully these criminals will be caught before anyone else becomes a victim.

Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WDM, when I heard that our neighbor's boy was home during the break-in, I was horrified. Thank God he wasn't hurt. Still, you have to imagine that his feeling of safety and security is, and will be gone for some time. And that's the thing, when stuff like this happens, they don't just steal your possessions. They rob you of your sense of security.
I'm usually pretty aware of what's going on in the neighborhood, but maybe I should start sitting on my front porch more often and be even more aware.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dragonlady is there a neighborhood watch in place where you live,if not you and the others need to talk to the TPD about one.

Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WDM, I don't think there is, but that's a really good idea. I think I'll look into that.

Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

some people cant get over "troy students"...

Posted by TroyGurl2006 (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am also a college student that lives in that neighborhood, but I have lived in the neighborhood long before I went to college, and I agree that our neighborhood is far from ghetto. I however don't feel that college students shouldn't be the first suspect. I have sat on my front several nights because I couldn't get any rest because of "working adults" and their crazy parties, so instead of blaming "college students" look around at other possible suspects.

Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No one said that college students were the first suspects, TroyGurl. High density housing contributes to crime, noise, trash and traffic. We're upset about past violations and current zoning changes. While the developers may say they are targeting college students, they cannot legally discriminate; they have to rent to anybody. The developers insinuate that they are doing this for the benefit of Troy University, but unless the university owns and controls said rental property, this is a smokescreen.

Posted by CHTU (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ZZ: While this has nothing to do with the fact that 2 houses unfortunately got broken in to, the developers of these complexes have a way to control the type of people who rent their property. This is by building upscale apartments/condos & renting them at rates that refelct the quality of complex. The development on Highland that has disgruntled so many people will not be a place where just anyone can live. It will, without a doubt, be an upscale place that will come with a nice price tag of $450-500/person per month, I'm sure. You are right, the developers cannot discriminate who they rent to, but unless you can afford it...you can't live there. Right or wrong this is & will be a way to control who does & doesn't rent in these areas. Remember these "god-forsaken developers" also have alot of $$$ invested into these properties & will not watch their investment be destroyed...

Posted by monk_jonas (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WDM and dragonlady, you're absolutely right. There are those who ride the streets just watching and looking for an opportunity to steal. In this day and time, I'm afraid there's not a neighborhood anywhere who doesn't have this problem to some degree. The scary thing about this case was, as you both stated, that a child was home at the time. Thank God, it wasn't worse.

dragonlady, I extend an olive branch to you. Yesterday I was responding to your comments to WDM, and not knowing that you had misread something, I couldn't understand why you were upset with WDM. Also, I know you and shifting didn't get off to a good start, but I really believe he was trying to back off in a humorous way with his 'burns and aloe vera' comment. Just a thought. And I do understand and sympathize with your problem. But like WDM, I've known and even had college students live next door to me. However, I was fortunate, and the ones living near me were polite, considerate young people who never caused me any trouble. If my experiences had been such as yours, I too would be upset. I have to believe those kids are the exception, and no, that behavior should never be tolerated. That said, other than what WDM suggests, I don't have a solution to the problem. Just keep calling your local representatives and let them know how you feel. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jonas, it's not a problem, I imagine I came off as not so nice. And yes, in retrospect, I believe shifting was trying to back out humorously. I need to either enlarge my font or get my contact prescription checked. lol
You're a former officer, aren't you? Is there a kind of security check list of things that maybe some of us might not think of?

Posted by monk_jonas (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dragonlady, yes I am a former officer, now retired. You've probably already thought of most of the things you can do to help protect your residence. Probably the most important thing you can do is to keep the area well lit. Keep the porch light on, even if the street is well lit. The bad guys hate light. Of course, good locks are always important. The other thing, WDM mentioned, being a neighborhood watch. Even if you don't have an organized watch, it's a good idea to do like I do. I have a couple of neighbors that I know I can trust, and we try to watch out for each other. I know many get upset because the police don't do as much as they think they should, but I think most of the time, it's not the officer's themselves. First, they can only do what's allowed within the law, and of course, it's no secret, politics play a big part in what can and can't be done. That said, any time you think something isn't right, don't hesitate to call the police. It's like I used to tell people, I'd rather check out a hundred false alarms than not be called and have one actual crime committed. Also, if there is an increase in crime in an area, you can request that they patrol the area more frequently, if possible. Many times, just having frequent police presence in an area will deter the bad guys. Like I said, most or all of these, you've probably already thought of, and of course, nothing is fail proof. We do live in perilous times.

Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Those are great tips, thank you Jonas. I think I'll also drag out the ol' video camera and set it to record over night...see what it picks up. If not thieves, maybe I'll get some really good wildlife video.
As for police officers. I have the nothing but respect for them, and the law. My father was a deputy sheriff. They have to take a lot of crap from people, the same people that they work hard to protect. Good guys.

Posted by monk_jonas (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dragonlady, the video camera is a great idea ;).

Posted by Blue_Sky (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dragonlady, keeping the bushes trimmed so it is hard for someone to hide behind them; an alarm system; a dog that will bark when strangers come around ; and motion detection flood lights are also good ideas. Making it as time comsuming and difficult as possible on a crook will held deter him. I like the idea of a camera. You can also buy fake cameras that look real and are relatively cheap.

Posted by dragonlady (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We have two dogs (pitbulls), and they don't seem to mind anything outside the fence, but humans. So if there's someone outside the fence, we'll know it. We also chained our gates shut and padlocked them. If they get past those things and make it into the house where I'm at, I have multiple swords, pepper spray, and I know self defense. Whatever is left of them after that I'll feed to my dogs. lol

Posted by Blue_Sky (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW! lol

Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 10:06 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Trojan88 (anonymous) on July 30, 2009 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm a 21 year resident of Troy, born and raised here. I've always heard people say that college students bring about more problems than good. Well, were most of you not college students at one point in time?? Maybe everyone's not blaming these acts of crime on TROY students, but it sure seems like most things do get blamed on us. Just like the other girl from Troy, I've had problems with neighbors, but they've been adult neighbors. My roommate and I are both full time students with jobs. We're at home and in bed by 11 each night, and if we ARE out late we are OUT. I've had only 1 get together at my house and that was maybe 8 people...for my birthday. Please stop assuming that young, college aged people are to blame for all the world's problems because we aren't. Please and Thank you!!

Posted by monk_jonas (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL shifting, you may have something there.

Posted by TroyAlumna (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sorry, but this should have never even turned into ANOTHER debate on the rezoning issue. The fact of the matter is that (at least) 2 houses were broken into, 1 with a 14 year old boy inside. The situation could have been a lot worse, and thank goodness it wasn't! Let's just hope TPD catches these criminals, and there will be a few less out on the streets.

Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

funny the messenger removed my comment, i said nothing wrong... good job stacy

Posted by rowdytgr (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't feel bad, shifting shadows, the powers that be removed two of mine, and I have seen things written that were a lot worse than anything I wrote. I guess I stepped on somebody's toes, or struck a raw nerve. Keep up the "good work" guys and gals.

Posted by monk_jonas (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

shifting, you made the mistake of mentioning 'the one who must not be mentioned on the Messenger'. Kind of like Voldemort in Harry Potter. Don't feel bad, Bamabunny made the same mistake and had comment promptly removed. In fact, I feel this comment being removed as I hit the 'Post' button.

Posted by WDM (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

remember you must stay on the subject <s>

Posted by monk_jonas (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, WDM, stay on subject, and never ever mention 'the one who must not be mentioned'. LOL.

Posted by zztrojan (anonymous) on July 31, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who is "the one who must not be mentioned?"

Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on August 1, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If a rented house is looking trashy...it's up to the landlord to make certain there is upkeep.

Personally I think that some places that are rented to students are targeted because of what could possibly be inside.....like computers and expensive electrical equipment.

Casing a residence I am certain is done all the time by potential thieves to determine schedules of the intended victims. But as mentioned......the fact that a young man of 14 was home at the time of this burglary is very upsetting.

I have to chuckle about dragonlady's comment..."Whatever is left of them after that I'll feed to my dogs. lol"

But realistically speaking a person must do what it takes for protection. A good watch dog will let a stranger IN.....but will not let them back OUT.

I have a .22 pistol on my headboard....a 20 gauge shotgun in my kitchen...and a large very smart dog that's getting bigger by the day that likes to snack in between meals <s>

Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on August 1, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For zztrojan

Well zz....we really cannot say because there are too many names to "name" this one person that uses all those names.

In keeping comments on the subject at hand....I just hope they find out who burglarized those homes.

Posted by monk_jonas (anonymous) on August 1, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And if we did happen to mention one of the many names of the 'one who must not be mentioned' our comment would just get zapped by the 'site staff'. ;) I'm sure TPD will solve this one!

Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on August 1, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Any advice given pertaining to the "law" and "law enforcement" that you have Monk is always grately appreciated. Especially this type of burglary that the TPD is working on.

Afterall....you were in the "trenches" and what better source for info can we have than from someone actually there that knows the ropes as seen through the eyes of a real Police Officer such as yourself?

Thanks <s>

Posted by monk_jonas (anonymous) on August 1, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you, Bamabunny ;).

Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on August 1, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I thank YOU Monk <s>