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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - In late October, Frank Conaway’s Ashburton home was broken into — and his 42-inch plasma television stolen.
Not that big of a deal, he thought.
So, Conaway, Baltimore’s veteran Clerk of the Circuit Court, reported the burglary to police and bought a new TV.
But three months later, his home was burglarized again — this time someone removed a window pane — and his newer 42-inch TV stolen.
Conaway got more frustrated, but he once again reported the crime and bought a new TV.
Then March 20, Conaway returned home to find a rock thrown through his sliding-glass door and his new 50-inch plasma TV stolen.
“You don’t think they’re coming back, but they do,” Conaway said Wednesday, sounding disheartened. “There are more heinous crimes. But three times — it gets a little heavy.”
Conaway brought up the crimes in his upscale neighborhood — where several high-profile Baltimoreans live, including former Mayor Kurt Schmoke — at the Baltimore City Criminal Justice Coordinating Council meeting Wednesday.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld said he has spoken with concerned residents.
“I want us to not just drive around the neighborhood, but get out and walk around the neighborhood,” Bealefeld said. “We also put in place helicopter fly-overs in the neighborhood. My understanding is some of those things started out well, but some have petered-off as well. There is a sense that the burglaries have continued.”
Statistics for Northwest Baltimore show 201 burglaries reported this year through March 31, compared to 204 by the same time last year. Specific statistics for Ashburton were not immediately available.
Conaway said he gave police two suspects’ names, but has heard little back. He also has produced 1,000 fliers offering a $300 reward for information leading to arrests.
“Crime is too heavy everywhere,” Conaway said. “I don’t think Ashburton is special or we should get special consideration, but when people have been violated, there should be some feeling that the police department is concerned and is trying to catch the people responsible.”
Meanwhile, Conaway is contemplating how to stop the burglars from striking again.
“It makes me feel like laying and waiting, which is not the proper thing to do, but that’s how it makes it feel.”
lbroadwater@baltimoreexaminer.com
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8:31 PM MST on Thu., Apr. 10, 2008 re: "Conaway’s home burglarized three times in five months"
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Examiner Reader said:
Why are our tax dollars paying for helicoptors to fly over neighborhoods looking for perps? What are the odds that they will see the burglary in progress? We are all having crime problems in the city. When are we going to wake up and see that criminals just get a slap on the wrist (if that) here? Criminals should be put in a tiny cell all alone so that they can not get raped/harmed or get strong. Give them gruel to eat. Give them decent books and the bible to read. Play classical music. Teach them some skills like mechanical work, electrical, make useful items so that they can contribute to society when they get out. But don't let them back to victimize us right away!!!
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Examiner Reader said:
Is this really news? I mean, it's Baltimore City. You're supposed to be a victim.
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Examiner Reader said:
Frank, Mark all of your electronics, install cheap nannycams from a radio shack and mark entrypoints to your property with videro surveillance signage. Then....buy an Akita. They won't bark like a rottweiler or a shepherd. It will just meet the little B*###*&^%^s as they come in and back them up against the wall until you come home. If one of them tries to escape, he'll never make it out of your house alive. Akitas as a rule protect people not property but they are the #1 dog in this case and would probably scare the you name it out of any intruder! Signage outside saying there is a guard dog on duty is fair warning and if they come inside they deserve what they get.
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Jennifer said:
Frank Conaway is clearly being targeted by someone who has been in the court system; this is not random. He makes good money; install a damn camera!!
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johnn said:
you know its bad when your own police department,who you help employ wont call you back,and even his knowing the mayor wont help
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Examiner Reader said:
Suggestion - I also leave in Baltimore City and have witnessed first hand some unbelievable violence. However, I now have 3 labs and most people cross the street before walking past my house. Frank - get a dog or a good security alarm!
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Examiner Reader said:
To Frank Conaway - Get a labrador and train it properly. It will protect you and your property.
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Examiner Reader said:
How sad - how scary! I say lay and wait for them because clearly they have targeted Mr. Conaway's home. Next they will be coming in while the residents are at home.
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Examiner Reader said:
Why is this surprising? Baltimore is a thug-infested cesspool. Too bad the thugs are driven to a life of crime by -- I don't know -- fill in the blank. The white man? Slavery? Bull Connor? Baltimore is a joke.
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Anthony said: said:
This guy is real a genious. Has he ever heard of the saying, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...... this guy get fooled not once, not twice, but three times.....Real genious......The burglars are probably laughing at this guy, saying...Damn he bought another TV?
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Examiner Reader said:
The city is maping to the county with means all dem votes and dem security. Switch parties and realize the law is independent. Security is to be put on all local levels.
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Examiner Reader said:
Click Click you stay at you home or you are dead. The police have been watching the neighborhood in unmarked cars. They know where all the dealers live. I have been robbed at least 3 times and this gang runs the neighborhood. Thing is cameras are coming in the streets. Or are they already there? Watch out, you are being watched. They set up there own patrol, Have you noticed.
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Examiner Reader said:
Don't worry Dixon and the O"Malley administration will just tax you to death then you won't have to worry. And everyone left they will arrest because obviously they didn't pay taxes because they have money.
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Examiner Reader said:
Set up CCTVs to catch them. Install an alarm system. It's as easy as spending a couple hundred dollars. Or invest in some guard dogs.
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Examiner Reader said:
Why is everyone saying don't lay-in-wait for burglars? No wonder criminals have the upper hand, with so many hand-wringing namby bambys. Little wonder why the streets are such a zoo, when folks wont even defend their homes. We should be so fortunate to have this burglar break into MY home. It would be his last misdeed.
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Examiner Reader said:
Conaway should take up reading instead. It would be a whole lot cheaper for him, since we know Baltimore crack heads will steal anything...except a book.
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Observer said:
ER said: "No one is that stupid." Don't forget we're talking about Frank Conaway here...
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Examiner Reader said:
Conaway! Conaway! You incompetent loser. That's what you get for supporting Pat Jessamy all these years. I hope you never have another restful night's sleep in your well-appointed home, you incoherent boob.
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Fred said:
I have felt the same way as Mr. Conaway. One of the problems that we as citizens experience is that the police do not seem to care. I do not believe that neighborhood patrols would work but the perps, when caught, need to be taught a lesson not just jail time but restitution hard labor, neighborhood cleanup or something other than sitting in jail.
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reader said:
This homeowner lives in an area easily accessed by the criminal element and must protect his person and belongings. He must begin by placing bars on all the lower level entry points beginning with windows. Install buglar bars at each door along with appropriate locks. Also he needs an alarm system. Three times burglarized for the same items this leads me to think that it may be an "inside play" perhaps an addicted family member or friend of the family. Do not lay in wait for burglars.
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Examiner Reader said:
Since this guy "came home" to find his house burgled, I assume he has no alarm. Why not? Lives in the city, works in the courts? No alarm? Something wrong here. No one is that stupid.
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