Sep 27, 2026
Uptick in Crime
Dear Neighbors,
We have had a few separate instances of someone stealing packages off of people’s front porches in the middle of the day. We have video evidence in at least two separate cases from over the last year. We also recently had a report from a resident of someone attempting to break into people’s vehicles. The HOA is encouraging our neighborhood to remain vigilant, however, we cannot allow a witch hunt to form- we owe it to ourselves and our neighbors to be alert, but also respectful.
That said, here are a few things we can do as a community:
1. Watch for suspicious activity, but report evidence to the HOA if you have it. This may be witnessing someone take a package off a porch that is not their own; it may also be more photo/video footage. It may also be watching someone trying to enter multiple car doors.
2. Communicate with your immediate neighbors. If you expect a package, ask a neighbor if they will be home to watch it or even receive it for you. If you are out of town, ask them to watch your vehicle if it is here.
3. If you are not home and no one can receive your package, consider requesting/arranging for your packages be delivered only with signature upon receipt. Or opting to pick it up from the package’s office, at least for the time being.
4. If you have a video door bell, consider opting into North Charleston PD’s Registration Program. It is a partnership between residents with security cameras that allows you to connect and join a city wide network of cameras. This is a personal choice for residents to make, and you can find more information on the City of North Charleston’s website: https://connectncpd.org
5. Please do not leave valuables in your car. There are also different approaches to avoiding costly break ins, such as shattering windows or breaking car doors, by leaving your door unlocked but your vehicle empty. Obviously, this is a two edged sword so please heed this advice at your own discretion. It spared my vehicle from damage when they opened my door and stole petty cash from my armrest, but I recognize that not everyone has the ability to empty their vehicles and this also allows for easy access to any interior vandalization.
Furthermore, though one of our board members has worked to contact the police, we have been told the HOA cannot place a report on behalf of the thief’s victims.
If you have had a package stolen, please consider filing a report with North Charleston PD. If you have had somebody break into your car, please consider filing a report. We strongly advise you make a report, even if the item stolen was not “valuable” per se. It’s becoming a persistent issue for not just one but many residents, and filing a report will encourage NCPD to take the thefts seriously.
