When Hannah Huffman walked out of her apartment building Monday afternoon, she was shocked by what she saw.
“You feel violated and just really imposed on,” she said. “It was broad daylight too. Something that happened around 2 o’clock in the afternoon.”
Huffman was one of a few people who fell victim of car break-ins in the Old Town area overnight.
The Wichita State student said someone swiped her backpack full of school supplies, including an iPad, textbooks and her wallet. Huffman is from Missouri, so she’s upset by the inconvenience of having to replace some of the items.
“It’s just material things, but I should have known better to leave that kind of stuff in there,” she said. “I don’t usually do that.”
Wichita Police Public Information Office Doug Nolte said break-ins in Old Town are fairly normal, but the department hasn’t seen an increase in recent months. On average, 10 people will report someone breaking into their vehicle in the area.
Yet, Nolte expects those reports will decrease. The department has increased police presence after a shooting in Old Town in September. One person died and six people were injured. Police have not found a suspected shooter.
Nolte said more police and security cameras will help combat crime in Old Town — something Huffman finds comforting.
“It’s sickening, but it can happen anywhere,” Huffman said. “I’ll still keep working in Old Town. I’ll still keep living here…because I really like this part of Wichita a lot.”