The Newport News Police Department needs your help in combating vehicle theft and theft from vehicles throughout the city. As you can see from the numbers below, a large number of vehicle thefts can be prevented by following the safety tips listed below. Stolen vehicles from January 1 to February 25 for Newport News are as follows:
Total Stolen | 74 |
|
Total Unlocked | 34 | 46% |
Total Keys Available | 49 | 66% |
Total Left Running | 25 | 34% |
“Fortunately a large number of vehicles stolen from the city are recovered. However, by following these simple tips, you can avoid the inconvenience altogether,” said NNPD Robbery Detective Sgt. Brendan Bartley. NNPD officials report that because of the colder weather, citizens are warming up their cars or leaving them running and unattended which is making the number of crimes rise, which can be totally prevented. The NNPD is asking that you review the following tips and above all – DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR RUNNING AND UNATTENDED AT ANYTIME.
Always lock your automobile and take your keys.
Do not leave extra or spare keys in your automobile.
Do not leave valuables in your automobile (whether in plain sight or hidden).
Do not leave valuables in your trunk (if your automobile is unlocked, a thief can get to your trunk).
Park your automobile in your garage or driveway if possible.
If possible, install an anti-theft device that is highly visible, hard to defeat, and renders the vehicle inoperable.
If you notice someone suspicious, call the Police Department.
For additional tips, visit www.nngov.com/2377/Crime-Prevention-Tips.
“Sometimes it’s just a matter of creating a habit,” said Sgt. Bartley. Officers suggest you follow the Department on Facebook where they are participating in a national campaign called #9pmroutine. Every night at 9:00 p.m., they post a clever reminder to make sure everything is locked up and secure before you go to bed. They also suggest utilizing the NextDoor app where Lieutenants throughout the Department are posting information about vehicle theft trends in neighborhoods citywide.
“Detectives in all three precincts are acutely aware of this trend and working hard to identify and make arrests,” said Chief Steve Drew. “We publish surveillance video on social media whenever it’s available, and appreciate greatly when citizens follow us, view the video and share any information they may have regarding the crime,” added Chief Drew. “However, by not locking your car, leaving the keys in your car, or leaving your car running, your time and our officers’ time is being wasted when it could have easily been prevented. Please do you part – it takes a lot longer to deal with a stolen vehicle then it does to lock it.”