Tempe police are fighting a stop-and-go battle against car theft.
Vehicle theft rates have risen 7 percent in Tempe so far this year when compared to a year ago at that time, according to the Tempe police crime analysis unit.
The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority reported a 16 percent drop in Tempe vehicle thefts between 2002 and 2003. Last year also marked the first statewide decrease in stolen vehicles since 1999.
Although the vehicle theft rate had decreased by almost one third since the beginning of summer, a recent rise puts Tempe on pace to surpass last year's total number of vehicle thefts.
"I think in the last few years, and last year especially, that we have turned the tables on car thieves," said Tempe police Sgt. Dan Masters.
According to the FBI, Arizona still ranks first in the nation for having the highest number of auto thefts, with one car stolen every 9 minutes and 22 seconds, and a total of 56,222 vehicles stolen last year.
"That's one list that we certainly don't want to be at the top of," Masters said.
Police officials are crediting better public awareness and special state programs for last year's drop in car thefts.
Sgt. Jon Waide of Tempe police's crime prevention unit said the department is advocating a layered approach that vehicle owners can use to safeguard their vehicle from would-be thieves.
"Most car thefts that occur happen because the car simply isn't locked," Waide said.
He also said that adding a visible anti-theft device deters most criminals.
"A third invisible layer such as a car alarm or kill switch makes your car even harder to steal," he added.
According to Waide, the unit also received a grant to purchase 2,050 steering wheel anti-theft devices and plans to distribute them shortly.
The crime prevention unit holds presentations in apartment communities that are at a high-risk of car theft, Waide said.
"Students should keep an eye out," Waide said. "There is a good chance we will be visiting communities around the campus [to pass out the anti-theft devices]."
The crime prevention unit also hosts a number of community events each year to help the public protect their vehicles.
Waide said the department hosts several free vehicle identification number etching days, where police use acid to burn the VIN into each piece of glass in the car.
Thieves have a harder time trying to sell the car's pieces when they have to replace the glass in each door panel, he said.
"It also helps police identify and track the stolen car," he said.
While Tempe and ASU police have never jointly held an event to promote awareness for the issue, both Waide and Masters said they think it's a good idea.
Police also credited the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority's "Watch Your Car" program.
Owners who apply give their consent for police to stop their car if it's on the road between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., when many car thefts occur. The person found driving the vehicle is then compared with a list of drivers authorized to operate the vehicle.
Drivers registered with the Arizona Division of Motor Vehicles who have a valid license and Arizona auto insurance can apply for the program.
According to the Authority's Web site, if the information doesn't match, the police detain the driver and secure the vehicle.
John Almasan, a spokesman for Watch Your Car said the program is free of charge and has nearly 69,000 members.
Tempe police also endorse the program, but Waide cautioned those who frequently drive late at night.
"If we pull the car over and we see a joint in the ash tray we are going to do something about it," he said. "Just because the car isn't stolen doesn't mean you won't get arrested."
Reach the reporter at mark.saxon@asu.edu.
