<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Car prowls on the rise, Vancouver police say

By Bob Albrecht
Published: November 30, 2010, 12:00am

With gift-buying season in full swing, the Vancouver Police Department Tuesday issued a blunt warning: Don’t leave valuables in your car.

Reported auto prowls citywide are up 56 percent this year compared to 2009, said Kim Kapp, a police spokeswoman. In raw numbers, that’s a jump from 969 smash-and-grabs in 2009 to 1,509 in 2010.

Prowlers are window-shopping — then swiping — from vehicles in parking lots outside movie theaters, churches, sports fields, workplaces, fitness clubs, motels, malls and trailheads. Thieves watch as drivers hide purses and briefcases under seats. They turn GPS units and other items they can easily sell into cash to secure drugs.

“We definitely have a problem,” Kapp said. “It definitely needs to happen at the citizen level with removing valuables and locking your cars.”

Kapp warned that auto prowlers “work very fast. They’re in, they’re out.”

The police department is deploying Neighbors On Watch-trained volunteers to patrol “hot spots.” It’s crucial, Kapp said, that victims file police reports so oft-targeted areas can be identified.

As trunks are filled with toys and clothes, Kapp said, this is “really something we want people to start thinking about. If they think they need to hide an item, they should just remove it.” Kapp encouraged saving receipts and serial numbers on pricey purchases. Those are great to have on hand when you’re trying to convince your insurance agent to reimburse you for a loss, she said.

Police do recover stolen items, Kapp said, and the only way to return them is by matching them with their rightful owners.

It’s a bad idea to leave your garage-door opener in your car when it’s parked at home, Kapp said. If you do, crooks who smash your car windows can get into your home.

For more information, visit http://www.cityofvancouver.us/police.asp and click “Prevent Auto Prowl!”

Loading...