Several break-ins in Fall Creek Place neighborhood

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - People who live in one Indianapolis neighborhood say crime is on the rise.

It's happening on the near-north side in the Fall Creek Place neighborhood.

From a picture, Fall Creek Place seems like a safe community in which to live.

"It's great. Everyone is really friendly," said Joseph Lese of Indianapolis.

But over the past month, Lese said it's been all but safe in his near-north side community. He said many of his neighbors have become frustrated with the spike in crime. Wednesday morning one of Lese's neighbors was burglarized.

"I don't think these criminals are amateurs; I think they know what they are doing and know what they are looking for," he said.

Lese knows what it's like to be a victim of a crime. About a month ago, someone jumped a gate in his neighborhood, broke into his home and walked out with 6-thousand dollars worth of his stuff.

"It's all gated; I didn't think twice about anybody jumping the fence and causing problems," he said.

According to the Indianapolis Crime Map, IMPD officers have been called to dozens of burglaries and home invasions in the Fall Creek area since August 1st.

"We've done basically everything we can possibly think of doing, but ultimately we can't stop everything," Lese said.

Lese is also the president of his condo homeowner's association.

Lese said he's taken steps to protect his property by adding more locks and even a security system in his home. He just wants neighbors to look out for each other and for police to catch the criminals.

Police told 24 Hour News 8 they plan to step up patrols in the community to try and help fight the crime.