Police: Reported Larcenies from Vehicles Down

A police awareness campaign and steps taken by residents have resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of reported larcenies from cars, according to Mount Vernon area police.

In 2011 to date, there were 538 reported thefts from motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. At the same point in 2010, there were 717 reported thefts from motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts, according to Mount Vernon District substation Captain Randy Joyce. That's a decrease of 24.9 percent.

Overall, thefts from motor vehicles and thefts of motor vehicle parts accounted for 38.2 percent of all larcenies to date this year. In 2010, that percentage was 37.6 percent of all larcenies.

Still, residents need to take precautions to ensure their valuables are safe.

"In the end, it is our community’s interest in reducing crime and the opportunity to commit crime that will have the greatest impact on our crime statistics," Joyce said.

The police urge residents to lock their car doors when not in use and to remove expensive items from their cars as part of their ongoing awareness campaign. 

"The message [to] lock your car doors and remove valuable items from your vehicle has been—and will continue to be—reiterated at every meeting we attend, frequently noted in [Crime Prevention Officer] MPO Kottemann’s emails to the public and a prominent feature on our webpage," said Joyce.