A Mt. Airy couple says a group of teens hurled a brick through their bedroom window on March 4, turning a quiet afternoon into a frightening wake-up call and leaving them on the hook for new windows and added security. Rod and Kella Schreiber were home just after 4 p.m. when the brick blasted through the glass near their bed. Since then, they say they have upgraded cameras, replaced damaged panes and still cannot shake the feeling that their home is being targeted.
Security video shows two of what the Schreibers estimate were seven teens cutting across their front lawn, picking up brick pavers and then launching one through the front bedroom window, according to FOX19. The couple told the station the brick traveled through the bedroom and landed where they usually sleep. They say it was not the first time their house has been hit. Last August, their cameras captured teens spraying the exterior with fire extinguishers and later throwing a brick through the same window, forcing the couple to spend money on replacements and surveillance.
Police Seek Identities
Cincinnati police have released photos of the teens and are asking anyone who recognizes them to contact the department. Officers told reporters they are also reaching out to nearby middle schools in an effort to identify the children believed to be involved, according to FOX19. "I’ve been waking up, I don’t feel secure, I keep thinking I’m hearing things and I’m not sleeping well at all," Kella told the station. The Schreibers say they want real consequences for whoever is responsible and hope neighbors will come forward with tips that help move the case along.
Data, Perception and Neighborhood Safety
Incidents like the one at the Schreibers' home often play out against complicated citywide crime numbers, which can make it tough for residents to square their lived experience with official talking points. WVXU reports that the Cincinnati Police Department uses weekly STARS reports to track short-term trends in specific neighborhoods, looking for hotspots and changes block by block. At the same time, Spectrum News 1 has highlighted regional crime reduction initiatives that rack up arrests in cities like Cincinnati and Dayton but may not fully address lower-level harassment or property damage. That mix of data and targeted enforcement helps explain how one house can feel repeatedly under siege even as officials cite broader gains in public safety.
Next Steps
The Schreibers say they are counting on public attention and community tips to generate leads, and they hope a quick resolution will keep other families from facing the same kind of ordeal. Police have asked anyone with photos, video or information to call the Cincinnati Police Department's nonemergency line. Until there are answers, the couple say they will rely on their reinforced windows, upgraded cameras and a push for accountability to feel even somewhat secure in their own bedroom.
