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A car window was smashed as the vehicle was parked in the Water Street garage on May 18, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

Thousands of dollars in vehicle damage and thefts have been reported at downtown Binghamton parking garages over the past three months.

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Binghamton police officers in the Water Street garage on May 18, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

Cash and valuables are still being stolen at a disturbing rate despite a stepped-up police presence in the city-owned facilities.

In the latest reported incident, a window of a car owned by a woman who works in a law office was smashed. The damage was discovered just before 12:30 Wednesday afternoon.

The vehicle was parked on the street level of the Water Street garage, visible from the sidewalk and 29 steps from the entrance to Boscov's department store.

When the car owner spoke with WNBF News, she was unsure whether anything had been stolen.

Larcenies and criminal mischief incidents are continuing at the Water Street and State Street ramps. Downtown police patrols have been checking the garages much more frequently but the problems persist.

On February 19, two-dozen vehicles were damaged in a criminal mischief spree at the State Street garage. Side-view mirrors and windows were smashed on vehicles belonging to students, businesses and government agencies. No arrests have been reported in that incident.

Binghamton Mayor Richard David has said the city would consider installing surveillance cameras and might hire attendants for the garages because of the criminal incidents.

No additional cameras or employees have been observed in the ramps since the crime wave began.

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The car was parked a few yards from the entrance to Boscov's department store. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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