Lakewood Police Change Policy After Spike In Car Prowls

LAKEWOOD, WA - There's been a big uptick in car prowls at one of the busiest shopping areas in the city, and police are changing how they respond to car prowl reports to combat the crimes.

Lakewood police say that between Jan. 8 an Jan 14, there were 17 car prowls across the city, six of which were in the Towne Center shopping area. But between Jan. 15 and Jan. 20, there were 34 car prowls reported citywide, with 22 in the Towne Center area. Eighteen of those prowls happened between Jan. 19 and 20 alone.

In response, the department has mandated a "prompt response" effort on reports of car prowls in the Towne Center area.

The department doesn't usually send an officer to a car prowl where there is less than a $1,500 loss, unless there is evidence to collect. Chief Michael Zaro has mandated that officers respond to all reports of car prowls in that area.

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