Unsolved Burglaries Become Big Police Challenge

With 35 unsolved home burglaries in December, Santa Barbara Police are urging residents to make sure their doors and windows are locked.The problem has kept officers busy, responding to home, auto and commercial thefts, mainly where doors are not secured. One resident, Diane Leflang who heard of a theft in her San Roque neighborhood said her family “went right out and bought a good video [surveillance] camera.” She also said a suspicious person came to her fence and “started talking to my daughter.”Police Chief Cam Sanchez says he is adding detectives to the property crimes division to help work on the case load and hopefully catch a thief.Mesa area resident Eileen Aranda said her neighborhood had inadequate lighting and the city improved it, especially near a school bus stop where children were sometimes coming and going in the dark.Police are urging residents to not only secure their property but to also have neighborhood watch programs and email alerts.KEY News Senior Reporter John Palminteri has our story.