Mattawa sees surge in property crimes

MATTAWA — Mattawa-area residents are being urged to take precautions and to report suspicious activity following a series of property crimes in and around the city.

Mattawa Police Chief Joe Harris said most of the crimes have been what he called “crimes of opportunity,” where unlocked vehicles are prowled, or cars are stolen when keys are left in the vehicle, among other things.

“There is a small group of juveniles (and) young adults, less than 10, causing 90 percent of the property crimes,” Harris said. The areas of highest activity are an apartment complex on Brian Avenue and a second apartment complex on Third Place, on the other side of town, he said.

“Residents have been reporting to us that this group constantly is wearing ‘red’ and claiming to be Norteno gang members,” Harris said. The Mattawa Police Department’s investigations indicate this group is responsible for many of the property crimes, as well as harassment of Mattawa-area residents and incidents of graffiti around town, he said.

Harris urged people to report a crime immediately, or to report suspicious circumstances if they see them. “While we receive a ton of information from our community, it is almost always after the fact,” Harris said. “People need to report things to us when they happen.”

Mattawa residents typically don’t call 911, he said, “and that is a huge problem.”

He cited the example of a case where youths were spraying graffiti on a fence. Witnesses saw the perpetrators and immediately called police. “We were able to locate, investigate and arrest them,” Harris said.

He urged Mattawa residents to avoid leaving a vehicle running, or leaving keys in an unlocked vehicle. People should lock their cars, he said, and he recommended installing security cameras around residences if possible.