AUSTIN (KXAN)– You've probably seen the shattered glass at parks all across Austin at places like Mount Bonnell, Zilker Park or Bull Creek -- but what's being done to stop this from happening?
Since Jan. 1 there have been more than 70 car burglaries at Mount Bonnell, according to crime data.
KXAN sat down with APD to find out if they are making arrests and why these break-ins continue.
"We are making arrests, especially with the vehicle break-ins," said Austin Police Officer Jose Mendez. "Unfortunately what we are seeing however, are these people that are arrested are being released rather quickly from jail and then they just become repeat offenders."
Mendez says its deflating to see someone they took off the streets out again breaking into more vehicles.
Woman arrested after vehicle burglaries reported at Mount Bonnell: APD"We have arrested the same individuals over and over for the same crimes several times, but they become repeat offenders when there is no real punishment being given and there is no consequences," Mendez said.
Over the years KXAN has followed up about car break-ins at the city's most popular destinations. At one point the city installed fake cameras at Mount Bonnell, but they were removed after the problems continued.
In June 2023, the city launched a pilot program and installed real cameras at 10 popular Austin parks known for break-ins, but when the pilot ended the cameras were taken down.
The city of Austin told KXAN, "This (car burglaries) is a priority for the City Manager and, at his direction, leadership from the Austin Police Department and the Parks and Recreation Department have been meeting to create short and long-term plans to address security related to car break-ins and other safety concerns."
The city said it is increasing Austin Police patrols, stationing police vehicles in parking lots, adding additional signage and adding more security cameras to these areas.
Citizens stepping up
One Austinite, who has been a victim of car burglars, said he created a social media account to draw more attention to the problem.
"This has gotten so out of hand I feel like we have to do something as a community," said Matthew Guthrie, who runs the atxcarbreakins Instagram page.
He said after creating the account hundreds of people started to follow along and share their stories.
"I just felt compelled to do something, it feels like in the last few months almost everyone I know have had a break in happen to them including myself," Guthrie said.
Guthrie is hoping the extra resources being added to stop these break ins will help, but he said he hopes his social media posts can educate people about the problem areas.
"Theres nothing worse than you wanting to go out on a Saturday morning hike and you don't because you are scared of your car getting broken into," Guthrie said.
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