Could construction on Scott Boulevard be causing more crime?

Tom O’Sullivan with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department said they have put more patrols in the Bellview and Scott Boulevard area.

Several of the tenants on Bellview have fallen victim to tire slashings in the past few days.

Landlords are now saying the construction in the area is causing some of the problem and said the sooner the bridge work is done, the better off everyone will be.

“I don’t think they’re doing it because of the bridge work, but I do think that probably makes it easier for them to do it. Two out of three nights and get away with it and have a place to escape,” said property owner, Derek Kent.

O’Sullivan said, “We try and get out there, to try and move around and be a presence and hopefully deterrent for this future type of activity.”

The escape route Kent and his renters think the tire slashers are taking is the trail behind the complexes.

O’Sullivan said with construction being right next to the trail it could be a possibility allowing people to escape without being caught.

The bridge will be out of service for a few weeks, but O’Sullivan said they will adapt to whatever they need to in order to patrol properly.

Kent said he is aware of the problem and everyone is on high alert about it.

There have not been any reports of tire slashings since Sunday.