Residents seek to avoid being victims

SATSUMA, Ala. (WALA) - Some folks in Satsuma say while police are looking for the burglary suspects who have targeted their community, they'll be looking out for each other.

That's just one of the messages they picked up at a special community meeting Friday night.

Satsuma Police Chief Chris Mclean talked about what's being done to protect the citizens from an organized car burglary ring, and what they can do to protect themselves: things like reporting any suspicious activity.

"You might not be able to put your finger on it, but that "Spidey-sense",  that hair on the back of your neck might be tingling due to something that just doesn't seem right," McLean said.

Police believe the thieves who struck this week are the same ones who have target the community before, as well as other cities in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, and even Mississippi.

Chief McLean wants to establish Community Watch Groups throughout the city.

Sandi Parden said she's ready to sign up after her family was left with a $1,000 repair bill after thieves broke the window in her son's car Tuesday. 

"They broke in for a makeup bag that they thought was a purse, and then they threw the make up bag down in my driveway," Parden said.

Police say 18 other cars were hit on the same night, by the same thieves.

City Councilmember Mike Butler is chairman of the Public Safety Committee. He was pleased with the turnout for the meeting and he wants to make sure citizens have the right message about protecting themselves.

"The chief made mention last night 'do not arm yourself to confront anyone you think might be a burglar or a prowler.'  Call the police and let them handle it. They're experienced. We don't want the citizens to be in harm's way," Butler said.

Butler is confident those who attended went home with information they can use. Parden said her family did.

"We will no longer leave anything in our vehicles that is visible, no matter how insignificant we might think it is. We are taking everything out of our cars," Parden said.