Neighbors in East Dallas say they’re seeing a spike in nightly smash-and-grab car break-ins. Filed police reports, videos and photos sent to NBC 5 show thieves targeting the same blocks, even the same trucks. People in neighborhoods along Lower Greenville say they are waking up daily to fi nd shattered windows and broken glass along their street. One neighbor told NBC5 his truck was hit three times in six weeks. It happened again even after he rolled down one window and put up a laminated sign alerting thieves to nothing inside. “Yes, I put a laminated sign up saying ‘There’s nothing to steal in here, doors are unlocked, have at it’ and they broke [my window] anyway.” Window replacements have cost him $2,800. James Beggs said his Jeep was hit twice in the same week. The day after he spent $500 replacing the window, thieves smashed it again. He had purposely left the truck unlocked. He said the thieves appear to be targeting pick-up trucks and SUVs, sometimes leaving nearby cars unharmed. “I think they’re searching for guns to be honest,” Beggs said. “What concerns me is the sheer volume in such a short matter of time.” Frustration is growing after neighbors say they’ve shared surveillance video with Dallas police, submitted online reports or called, yet it keeps happening. Some said they’ve given up reporting the incidents to police. “We’ll call, it’ll be an hour or two to respond – and I know they got a lot on their plate – but it does get to be frustrating when we have been getting hit time after time after time,” one neighbor said. We reached out to Dallas police with the incident reports provided and details shared by neighbors. DPD provided the following statement: We have seen an uptick in reported burglary of motor vehicles in that part of the Central patrol division in the last several weeks. As reports are created through DORS or from patrol officers responding to 9-1-1 calls, we have been in contact with the victims to gather more information on their cases. It should be noted that this area is not one of the hotspots with the most consistent BMV and related reports, however, resources are still being directed to that area. It is important that we receive these reports through DORS submissions and 9-1-1 calls because that data helps determine where resources are most needed and can be deployed most effectively. DPD’s online crime data for the area, referred to as Sector 140 on their patrol beat map, shows vehicle break-ins are up 33% from this time last year. ,“There’s nothing really left to steal. We’re all very aware of it, so stop breaking our windows. We just want this to stop.” ...read more read less