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| Date: April 6, 2010 | ||
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"CARHOPPING" LEADS TO INCREASE IN THEFTS |
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| The Windsor Police Service is reminding the public to lock
their vehicles when parked and remove any valuables from plain view in
an effort to deter an increase in thefts from vehicles seen recently.
Crime statistics compiled for the month of February 2010 indicate that
there were 454 incidents of theft under $5000 reported. This is
compared with 258 incidents reported in February of 2009 for a 76%
increase. This is the second consecutive month with a significant
increase. Analysis of this data shows that the majority of
incidents responsible for the increase are a direct result of thefts
from motor vehicles. Law enforcement agencies from across North America including Windsor PS have seen a trend in an activity known as "CARHOPPING". This activity involves a suspect(s) walking through a parking lot or down a street physically checking car doors. When an unlocked door is located, the suspect enters the vehicle and steals loose change, lottery tickets, Canadian Tire money or any other valuable available to them. This type of crime has become very well known to the habitual criminal element of society as well as the usually law abiding youth in our community. Although this is a city wide problem, there are a number of areas within the city where this crime is more prevalent. Some of these areas include parking lots surrounding Devonshire Mall and Dorwin Plaza, the downtown area streets and parking garages and neighbourhood streets in the Meadowbrook and Sycamore area. Approximately 60 percent of all thefts from vehicles are the result of people leaving car doors unlocked or leaving items of value inside the car easily visible to would be thieves. "If thieves can see it, they will steal it". TIPS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC - Lock your vehicle doors and hide valuable items in a locked trunk - Park your vehicle inside your home garage and lock the garage door. By not leaving the vehicle exposed on the street or in the driveway, the risk of it becoming a target is reduced dramatically. - Park in well lighted areas at night. - Do not leave anything in your vehicle containing personal information (ie cheques) to reduce the possibility of identity theft. - Be very suspicious of anyone roaming in a parking lot or on neighbourhood streets. Not every thief working a parking lot is easily detected. Take note of their behaviour and notify Police at your earliest opportunity. - 30 - |
