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After Car Break-In, Woman Upset With Cops' Response: A Letter

ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- A Woodbury woman believes police didn't do enough after a thief broke into her car during the day. Police added to her frustration when they sent her a letter, advising her that the case "lacks sufficient solvability."

Stacy Warner's passenger-side car window was broken into in mid-August while she and her family visited the Como Zoo.

They parked on the side of a street in the park, one that Warner said was very busy with many people around. When they came out of the zoo and got back to the car, they realized what happened.

"It was my niece that walked up to the car, and said, 'why is there glass everywhere?,'" Warner recalled.

Her sister's purse, which was hidden under a seat, was gone. Warner called St. Paul Police to report the crime.

"They proceeded to advise that no one was coming and that this happens -- it's a bad neighborhood, take your stuff with you," said Warner.

She later received the letter.

"So, if they're going to invest the resources to send me this letter, don't send me the letter. Invest the resources to put more police presence in that neighborhood," said Warner.

St. Paul Police spokesman Howie Padilla said there are more patrols at Como Park and that there are more now than other parts of the year since a lot of people are visiting.

"We want to do what we can to work with the community and prevent these crimes," said Padilla. "A lot of times, these are crimes of opportunity."

Padilla admits cops can't come to the scene of every car break-in. In 2010, there were 2,200 break-ins. So far in 2011, there were 1,200.

Cops do have other reliable ways to solve these break-ins, Padilla said.

"I know investigators are tenacious about trying to link these crimes, and seeing if there's patterns, and seeing what we can do," said Padilla.

Warner has learned a lot about police work and ways to keep from becoming a victim again.

"I'm definitely paying more attention to where I park my car ... who's around my car when I park my car, which is unfortunate," said Warner.

Padilla said St. Paul Police have posted fliers in the park and put them on car windshields too, reminding drivers to lock their car and hide their valuables or take them with when they're gone. They've posted flyer at  Como Park and in downtown St. Paul, because they know people park their car and leave them for long periods of time at both locations.

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