MONROE - Theft of items from vehicles in the City of Monroe doubled during the month of August compared to June and July.
The crime could be more preventable if people would just lock up their vehicles, Police Chief Fred Kelley said.
Purses, cash, cameras, cell phones, GPS and other electronic devices, medication and a book are some of the items reported stolen from vehicles in 38 incidents in the past three months. The value of items range from $10 up to $450 per incident. Only one item, a brief case, has been recovered.
Kelley attributes the rise in the thefts to illegal drug use, a bad economy and easy opportunities.
"A tight economy leads to more alcohol and drug abuse, which leads to a need for money, whether they steal the money or something they can easily sell," he said.
The Monroe Police Department's 2009 annual report, released in June, reported a continuing problem with drugs and drug-related crimes, with a "re-emerging increase" in powder cocaine abuse and sales and more sales of larger quantities of marijuana. The report also noted methamphetamines, Ecstasy, heroine and oxycontin are in the area and that the largest drug of abuse in the community continues to be alcohol.
The number of thefts from vehicles rose from nine in June and 10 in July to 19 in August.
Theft from vehicles is happening "all over town," Kelley said.
Cars are being left unlocked in business and apartment parking lots, in the street and even in private driveways.
"If you have to park in the street, park under a light," he advised. "It's even better in the driveway; most people won't go that close to a house."
Retail theft also rose in August, by 60 percent compared to June and July. Businesses reported five thefts in both June and July; they reported eight in August. Per incident, the value of items stolen from stores is about the same as from vehicles, except in June when a bicycle worth $800 and tools valued at $4,000 were reported stolen. In 13 of the 18 incidents during the summer months, the items were recovered, though not in sellable condition. The bike and tools have not been recovered yet.
This summer, residence thefts rose the least: 9 percent in July and 8 percent in August, compared to their previous months. Out of the 36 incidents, 14 lawn ornaments and 10 bikes were reported stolen. Among other items reported were mail, a dog, medication, cash, jewelry and a purse. So far, 11 percent of the items, a lawn ornament, two bikes and a purse, have been recovered.
Kelley expects lawn ornament theft to decrease as summer fades and the weather gets bad.
"These things tend to go in rashes. The big problem now is theft from vehicles," Kelley said.
More night lighting, dusk-to-dawn lights and movement-sensored lights are not always a deterrent.
"They are brazen," Kelley said about the thieves. "People have these (lights), and they still come in - even if the car is parked in the driveway."
Catching the thieves is difficult, even though police reports show officers and citizens are watching for and reporting more suspicious activities.
"If they (thieves) see a car coming down the street, they'll just slip around the back of the house until it passes," Kelley said. "And citizens will say they saw some kids, but they can't identify them."
Kelley said the public could help by being more accepting of an officer stopping to question them, especially if they are walking in the dark.
"They have to understand, the officer can't see who they are in the dark," he added.
Theft of items from vehicles and of lawn ornaments amounts to petty theft, and a conviction does show up on a person's criminal record, Kelley said.
The crime could be more preventable if people would just lock up their vehicles, Police Chief Fred Kelley said.
Purses, cash, cameras, cell phones, GPS and other electronic devices, medication and a book are some of the items reported stolen from vehicles in 38 incidents in the past three months. The value of items range from $10 up to $450 per incident. Only one item, a brief case, has been recovered.
Kelley attributes the rise in the thefts to illegal drug use, a bad economy and easy opportunities.
"A tight economy leads to more alcohol and drug abuse, which leads to a need for money, whether they steal the money or something they can easily sell," he said.
The Monroe Police Department's 2009 annual report, released in June, reported a continuing problem with drugs and drug-related crimes, with a "re-emerging increase" in powder cocaine abuse and sales and more sales of larger quantities of marijuana. The report also noted methamphetamines, Ecstasy, heroine and oxycontin are in the area and that the largest drug of abuse in the community continues to be alcohol.
The number of thefts from vehicles rose from nine in June and 10 in July to 19 in August.
Theft from vehicles is happening "all over town," Kelley said.
Cars are being left unlocked in business and apartment parking lots, in the street and even in private driveways.
"If you have to park in the street, park under a light," he advised. "It's even better in the driveway; most people won't go that close to a house."
Retail theft also rose in August, by 60 percent compared to June and July. Businesses reported five thefts in both June and July; they reported eight in August. Per incident, the value of items stolen from stores is about the same as from vehicles, except in June when a bicycle worth $800 and tools valued at $4,000 were reported stolen. In 13 of the 18 incidents during the summer months, the items were recovered, though not in sellable condition. The bike and tools have not been recovered yet.
This summer, residence thefts rose the least: 9 percent in July and 8 percent in August, compared to their previous months. Out of the 36 incidents, 14 lawn ornaments and 10 bikes were reported stolen. Among other items reported were mail, a dog, medication, cash, jewelry and a purse. So far, 11 percent of the items, a lawn ornament, two bikes and a purse, have been recovered.
Kelley expects lawn ornament theft to decrease as summer fades and the weather gets bad.
"These things tend to go in rashes. The big problem now is theft from vehicles," Kelley said.
More night lighting, dusk-to-dawn lights and movement-sensored lights are not always a deterrent.
"They are brazen," Kelley said about the thieves. "People have these (lights), and they still come in - even if the car is parked in the driveway."
Catching the thieves is difficult, even though police reports show officers and citizens are watching for and reporting more suspicious activities.
"If they (thieves) see a car coming down the street, they'll just slip around the back of the house until it passes," Kelley said. "And citizens will say they saw some kids, but they can't identify them."
Kelley said the public could help by being more accepting of an officer stopping to question them, especially if they are walking in the dark.
"They have to understand, the officer can't see who they are in the dark," he added.
Theft of items from vehicles and of lawn ornaments amounts to petty theft, and a conviction does show up on a person's criminal record, Kelley said.