Volusia Co. residents stepping up security after burglaries

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A group of Volusia County neighbors is hoping to catch thieves who are kicking in front doors and burglarizing homes in New Smyrna Beach.

Local police are stepping up patrols in the upscale Venetian Bay area, where the burglaries are taking place.

Sgt. Eugene Griffith of the New Smyrna Beach Police Department said the burglars ring the doorbell, and if no one is home, they go around back and kick in a door or break a window to get in.

"Venetian Bay and the Villas in Venetian Bay are coming back in such a great way and there are just a few people that are trying to spoil it," resident Suzanne Hartness said.

Hartness, a member of a homeowners' association in Venetian Bay, said thieves are stealing thousands of dollars in jewelry.

She said her family had to install a security system which makes them feel a little safer.

Other residents are also installing surveillance cameras.

Police are planting their own cameras around the Venetian Bay subdivision, hoping to spot a suspicious person or vehicle that could lead to an arrest.

So far they don't have any suspects.

The HOA, residents and the police department will have a meeting about the break-ins later in April.

Police say they're confident they will eventually catch the suspects.

WFTV