Dearborn Police: Vacant Homes Create Atmosphere for Crime

With one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country, city officials and residents say Dearborn's vacant homes are putting a welcome mat out for criminals looking for an easy target.

And while the Federal Bureau of Investigation's showed a significant drop in home burglaries from 2009 to 2010–from 712 to 488– have pointed toward a possible increase in overall breaking and entering activity.

Reports from the Dearborn police department–especially –showed that many home break-ins occurred at unoccupied residences. There, thieves were stealing copper piping, construction equipment, major appliances–whatever was left over and was valuable.

In July, Dearborn police were charged with the theft of numerous hot water heaters and air conditioning units in Dearborn.

Dearborn Police Chief Ron Haddad said the number of vacant homes has spurred changes in focus for his department.

“We receive more calls than ever before about suspicious activity around empty homes,” he said. “(Perpetrators) will break into them to steal the copper, or take things that might be left inside.

"It’s become more of a problem because of the economy,” Haddad added.

The same economy has landed Dearborn with a 9.3 percent home vacancy rate and more than 3,500 empty homes, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

And when residents see a home go into foreclosure in their neighborhood, they know it affects more than just their property values.

Local realtor and long-time resident Marium Wilkie said that in her east end neighborhood, they've learned to look out for crime, too.

"If someone sees something that it suspicous," she said, "they call the police."

It's exactly the reaction Dearborn police hope residents will remember. The department touts community policing as heavily as patroling, and encourages residents to call the station at 313-943-3030 whenever they see something questionable.

Another will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Dearborn Public Schools Administrative Services Center, located at 18700 Audette Street.