HOUSTON -- Residents and business owners in the Heights met with police Tuesday to talk about a recent increase of crime in the area, KPRC Local 2 reported.

More than 100 people gathered to talk to officers at St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

Houston police said they have seen an increase in everything from burglaries to armed robberies.

Many residents talked about their recent brushes with crime.

"You guys did respond to a burglary that happened last Friday," one woman said. "He was in my house."

"Last month my car was vandalized twice," another woman said.

"In my area, I've noticed that there's been an increase in gunshots and shootings," another woman said.

At least 15 businesses have been vandalized. Police said they have noticed a pattern of broken windows. Investigators said they have a person of interest in those cases.

"A lot of you think that we're not doing out jobs as well as we should," Assistant Chief Daniel Perales said. "Contrary to popular belief, we are."

Investigators said they are using specialized tactics, undercover officers, surveillance and plain-clothed officers to target certain areas.

Many people said more needs to be done.

"Why can't HPD and the city provide some sort of video surveillance?" one woman asked.

Police said one of their biggest problems is a lack of officers.

"We have officers coming in on their days off," an officer said. "We have officers working different shifts to address your problems."