A historic neighborhood in Baltimore is grappling with a surge in burglaries, prompting residents to take action to protect their homes. Bolton Hill has seen a significant increase in break-ins, with 30 burglaries reported so far this year compared with six at the same time last year, according to Baltimore Police data.
Jim Prost, a resident and chair of the Bolton Hill Community Association’s Safety and Security Committee, expressed concern over the recent incidents. “Every once in a while, you get this weird spike,” Prost said. He noted that one of the recent break-ins occurred on his street, where intruders took a bicycle but left behind items like a roll of coins and a cellphone. “The strangest thing about it is nobody is taking much of anything,” he said.
Emily Thomas, another Bolton Hill resident, voiced her frustration and desire for answers. “I want to know why it’s happening and what we can do about it. And it’s unfortunate because I think every summer there’s this like wave. What the heck is going on?” she said.
In response to the crime wave, Prost has secured a $10,000 grant from BGE — with help from State Sen. Antonio Hayes, the Democrat who represents the area — to purchase solar-powered motion detection lights for the neighborhood.
“Statistically it reduces crime,” Prost said, emphasizing the importance of lighting in deterring criminal activity. “I think what makes lights effective is their motion detection. And all of a sudden you think you’re all alone in the dark and all of a sudden this floodlight flashes because you got within ‘X’ feet of it.”
The neighborhood’s efforts to improve lighting, particularly in alleyways where many of the burglaries have occurred, are part of a broader plan to enhance security.
“I think that’s going to be a really good thing,” Prost said.
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