Cartersville police: Surge in thefts from vehicles

Media release: Chief Thomas N. Culpepper of the Cartersville Police Department advised today that the city has experienced an increase over the past few weeks in the number of crimes regarding thefts of items from vehicles.  Chief Culpepper stated, "This type of crime tends to be cyclical.  For example, as we experience warmer weather during the late evening and early morning hours as summer approaches, those who commit this type of crime tend to be out on the street later at night whereas during seasons of colder temperatures they are inclined to stay inside.  In addition, one trend we have seen during this recent increase is that several of the entering auto crimes have been committed when storms with high winds and heavy rains have been passing through the area."

 

Chief Culpepper said that there are several things the public can do to help reduce the number of these crimes.  First and foremost, report any suspicious activity in the neighborhood or in parking lots.  Second, do not leave anything of value visible in a vehicle.  This would include items such as laptop or tablet computers, cell phones, cameras, purses, jewelry, money, wallets, or anything else that would be inviting to someone.  Third, lock your vehicle.  In the majority of instances where these types of crimes take place the vehicle was not locked.  Fourth, if your car is in a garage, lock the garage doors.  If your car must be parked outside in a driveway and there is a light close to the car, install a motion sensor light that will turn on if someone comes close to the vehicle.

 

Chief Culpepper said that people need to remember that this type of crime is a crime of opportunity.  An unlocked vehicle presents an easy opportunity.  Visible valuables present another opportunity.  If the vehicle is locked, the more valuable the visible items are, the more likely there will be a forcible entry into the vehicle.  By locking the vehicle and by securing valuables in the trunk or preferably by completely removing them from the vehicle, opportunities for theft are reduced.

 

Please call 911 if you observe any criminal activity or call the Cartersville Police Department Tip Line 770-606-5337.