Spike In Vehicle Burglaries Leads Woodridge Police To Launch 'Lock Your Car; That's The Key' Campaign

WOODRIDGE, IL —The Woodridge Police Department is launching the “Lock Your Car – That’s the Key”

campaign that aims to reduce motor vehicle burglaries. “Lock Your Car – That’s the Key” will feature
social media outreach, physical signage and collaboration with organizations throughout the Village of
Woodridge to spread awareness. This campaign is in response to a spike in burglaries from motor
vehicles in Woodridge and the surrounding area. The crime statistics show that from 2015-2016, 63
percent of the motor vehicles burglarized in Woodridge were unlocked.

Burglary from motor vehicle is a felony offense, and the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report considers it a
Part I crime that includes thefts, homicides, and assaults. “A burglary from a motor vehicle is often
a ‘crime of opportunity’ that is easily preventable,” said Deputy Chief Tom Stefanson.
“Simply locking your car is the easiest way to avoid becoming victimized.” Figure 1 Motor Vehicle Burglaries rose by 88 percent from 2015 – 2016.

The vast majority of motor vehicle burglaries in Woodridge are from unlocked cars. Specifically, 63
percent of those motor vehicle burglaries from 2015-2016 occurred when the driver or occupants
left the vehicle unlocked. In contrast, only 24 percent of motor vehicle burglaries occurred when
the driver or occupants locked the car. The vehicle owner did not recall if he or she locked the vehicle
in the remaining 13 percent of burglaries.

>>Submitted by Woodridge Police Department

>>Image via Pixabay