Mobile police are urging residents near Murphy High School to remain vigilant after detectives noticed an uptick in property crimes in the neighborhood surrounding the school starting around the beginning of December.
Officers with the Mobile Police Department’s Third Precinct said they had responded to seven complaints of crimes within roughly four blocks of the school since the start of the month, ranging from vehicle burglaries and auto thefts to residential break-ins. A precinct lieutenant posted a message on the neighborhood app Nextdoor asking residents to watch for suspicious activity and report it promptly.
"Please be watchful around the clock and report any suspicious activities," the lieutenant wrote, according to police, encouraging residents to reach out to officers with any information that could help identify those responsible.
Crime data compiled by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office showed officers most recently responded to a reported theft at a home on South Street, one of several incidents that have raised concern among residents in the historic neighborhood surrounding the school. Police spokespeople said the pattern of crimes — largely opportunistic thefts from vehicles and homes rather than violent offenses — is consistent with seasonal upticks often seen during the holiday period, when porch packages, unattended vehicles and unlocked doors can present easy targets.
The Third Precinct has increased patrols in the area in response to the reported spike, according to police, and detectives are working to determine whether the incidents are connected or the work of a single individual or group. Officers have also encouraged residents to lock vehicle doors, remove valuables from plain sight, and ensure home security systems are active, particularly during the evening and overnight hours when many of the reported incidents have occurred.
Murphy High School, one of Mobile’s largest public high schools, sits within a well-established residential area that includes a mix of historic homes and student housing. Neighborhood associations in the area have said they plan to coordinate with police on additional community watch efforts heading into the new year.
Mobile police said they will continue monitoring crime trends in the area and encouraged anyone with information about the recent incidents to contact the department or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.