Cactus Village Community

AUTO THEFT--MORE THAN YOU THINK

Jul 20, 2003

We were pleased to have as guest speaker at the May NGSNA meeting Officer Jim Gwyn of the Cactus Park Precinct of the Phoenix Police Department. Officer Gwyn was instrumental in establishing the Burglary Reduction Program for our precinct in 1997?—a program whose success made it the prototype for the other precincts in the Phoenix PD as well. Read Roger Jenkins?’ ?“Block Watch?” article for some interesting and useful information Officer Gwyn gave us on burglary prevention.

Officer Gwyn presented the group with many statistics?—one of the most interesting of which could be that the Cactus Park Precinct has the highest rate of auto theft in the world. (If we?’re highest in the state, and Arizona has the highest rate in the country, and the U. S. has the highest rate?—well, you can see where that came from). It?’s a sad fact that there is oniy a 10% clearance rate on stolen vehicles, and it appears the best defense against this crime is a good offense. He offered several tips to prevent auto theft, such as etching your car?’s VIN on the glass, using anti-theft devices such as the club and kill-switches, joining Phoenix?’s ?“Watch Your Car?” program, and utilizing the LoJack system.

A disturbing fact, but a good caution to us all is that many times homes are entered all too easily when a car gets broken into in a parking lot. The thief will take your garage door opener from inside your car, along with your car registration which nicely spells out your address, making it fairly simple to enter and burglarize your home while you?’re at work or out shopping. His advice: carry your garage door opener and registration with you and NEVER leave your purse or keys in your car, even in your garage or driveway.

And this fact may startle you into action?—your garage door opener code is not unique. Burglars have been known to cruise through a neighborhood testing an opener on several garages to find a match. This is another reason to check your garage door occasionally when you?’re home to be certain it?’s closed?—it may be open for a reason other than your forgetfulness.

Many thanks to Officer Gwyn for a most interesting and useful presentation!. . . ☻