JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A city program is helping victims of car burglaries at two Arlington apartment complexes.
The Victim Services Center, part of the social services division, is reimbursing people whose car windows were smashed.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said early Sunday morning dozens of cars at the Bridgepoint Apartments and Villas at Bridgepoint were vandalized causing more than an estimated $20,000 in stolen and damaged property.
Investigators said items like credit cards, gaming systems and tools were stolen.
First Coast News spoke with a neighbor who did not want to share her name.
She said her car window was smashed, and her wallet was stolen. She added the burglars stole all of the money in their savings and checking account.
But the neighbor and her husband got a much-needed break.
“They [the city] called my husband, and he was shocked himself. He was like 'oh, I wasn’t expecting this.'”
A city spokesperson tells First Coast News the victim service center proactively looks at police reports and reaches out to victims of crime.
“They will reimburse you for the payment for your broken windows," the neighbor said.
The city saved the neighbor and her husband $300.
“A sigh of relief. I was thankful for that, because having to pay for broken glass was not in my bills," the neighbor said.
In order to be eligible to receive help for the victim services center you must be the victim of a crime that occurred in Duval County, be a resident of Duval County, and apply for services within 60 days of the crime.