Phoenix can breathe a sigh of relief as the number of reported motor vehicle thefts continues to drop due to what police believe is a result of better education of the community and a stronger task force.
In only one year, Phoenix has seen a decrease of 28 percent of reported motor vehicle theft from 2007 to 2008, according to Phoenix Police Department’s crime statistic summary.
“I think the decrease has to do with the educational process we give the community. There are also different task forces that concentrate on working specific areas now,” said Luis Samudio of the Phoenix Police Department.
In district seven, the area that includes downtown Phoenix, there has been a 25 percent drop in reported motor vehicle theft. In 2007, there were nearly 6,500 reported auto thefts. The number dropped to about 5,000 in 2008, according to the crime statistics report.
“We’re doing better education with the help of the media. It’s just the way we deliver the message now,” Samudio said.
Some students at Arizona State University’s downtown campus did not seem to realize that motor vehicle theft was that high in the area.
“I don’t know where the fact that I feel safe comes from. I always lock my car and I try not to leave anything valuable visible,” said junior Nora Avery-Page, who drives to the downtown campus.
Other students feel that ASU can do more to make them feel safer about parking their cars near campus.
“I think it would be easier if they have more actual structures for students to park at, especially if they have security at the structures,” downtown student Kelly Campbell said.
Regardless of where students choose to park, auto thieves have a certain target they look for.
“They’re looking for their window of opportunity, something that’s easy to do or something to steal. You have to try to make it as difficult as possible for them,” Samudio said.
Samudio recommended not leaving anything of high value visible in the car, to take off the faceplate of newer model stereos and to always lock the doors.
“An alarm and a steering wheel lock help, too,” Samudio said.
The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority also recommends parking in well-lit areas and well-attended lots. They also advised to never leave the car running or the windows down.
The company is hosting Auto Theft Prevention Day on Saturday, March 7. The series will include vehicle theft prevention events, including giving away free steering wheel locks to the first 50 participants. Visit their website www.azwatchyourcar.com.
