Two Agencies Join Together To Address Spike in Crime

FREDERICK COUNTY, MD - Maryland State Police and the Frederick County Sheriff's Office are joining forces to address a spike of crime in one small area.

"I have been a victim and the MSP investigated my incident," says Adrienne Summers, of Jefferson, Maryland.

"What he mentioned about scrap metal, I did have happen to me," says Dave Axline, of Frederick County.

Police say there have been nearly 100 crimes within a four mile radius of each other in Frederick County. Community members who met focused on the Jefferson area.

"There have been break-ins to storage buildings, and local businesses. This is a four mile radius of Jefferson. We've looked at some of the stats and patterns," says Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.

Police found 92 incidents occurred between September and February.

They say some of the investigations have resulted in arrests, and they have found many stolen car batteries being sold to scrap shops in West Virginia. They also say the car thefts can be easily avoided. 

"Don't put yourself in a situation where you become a victim of opportunity," says Sheriff Jenkins.

More than a dozen of the incidents police say were car thefts, and they say it's because people just aren't locking their doors.

Members of the community say they're concerned, they say the crime is high and that they'll do their part to help out. 

"At least together, as a neighborhood, be more responsive to what's going on and look out for each other as neighbors," says Summers. 

MSP and the FCSO say to report any activity you find suspicious, that something small could be related to something bigger.