Rash of Burglaries Strikes Pine Bluff Businesses

Pine Bluff business owners are upset over an increase in commercial burglaries around downtown. The owner of Southeast Engravers says for the first time 34 years of business, they`ve been burlgarized twice in the last three weeks. Plywood still covers the broken window that once held the store`s name. Police say when comparing January 2004 to January 2005, commercial burglaries have increased 105%. Police met with the mayor and business owners to discuss ways to help solve the problem, part of which is the police department is short-staffed by 20 officers. "We`re not near as proactive as we were in the past. We`re mostly reactive now, so that`s what happens. We`re not out there looking for crime before it starts," explained Sgt. Robert Rawlinson. The mayor says they`ll have to work with the resources they have, because there`s no idea what the chances are of the police department getting back those 20 officers. Tuesday, the department will start building its burglary task force. And the mayor will meet with police administration and those business owners again in 30 days.