PORTLAND, Ore. -- Neighbors in a small, quiet pocket of Southeast Portland say a serial ‘peeping Tom’ has been targeting homes, many owned by single women, for years.
Each thought they were alone in the ordeal, until this week, when one woman posted about it on Facebook.
Now, at least half a dozen Lents neighbors say, recently, they’ve caught someone peering through their windows, and they believe it’s all the work of the same man.
On Wednesday two victims, both single women, spoke with KGW on the condition that their identities be kept secret.
One said she first discovered the problem six months ago.
“It was raining that night and there were probably hundreds of footprints outside my bedroom window,” she said. “I’ve caught him three times, physically caught him three times. There’s been other evidence of him being on my property and in my yard.”
The second victim, a single mom with a teenage daughter, said she’s been dealing with the problem for two years.
“He literally had his face against the glass, and I came to the realization he was masturbating,” she said. “Horrible. It’s hard because, you know, people think ‘Oh a ‘peeping Tom.' It’s kind of a joke. But it really is a sex crime, and it is somebody being victimized.”
Both women, along with a handful of other neighbors, believe they’ve found the man who’s made a hobby of peering into people’s homes.
On Tuesday, they sent his name and photo, both discovered via Facebook, to Portland police.
Sgt. Pete Simpson says they have that information and are investigating, adding that in some situations, cases built through social media need extra attention.
“Sometimes rumors start to fly,” said Sgt. Simpson. “Especially with social media, we see things can get out of control quickly, and they’re not factually accurate.”
Sgt. Simpson was quick to add, though, the tips are helpful. They just can’t solve the case by themselves.
“We do want people to report it,” he said.
In the meantime, police are recommending people keep lights on outside their home, trim back plants around their doors and windows and use home security systems and cameras, if they have them.
The victims who have come forward aren’t upset with police, but they say the need to do any of that frustrates them.
“Why do I have to bend and twist and create this Fort Knox situation when 90 percent of people don’t have to do that,” said the second victim. “It’s somebody being singled out and victimized.”