Carrollton, TexasCarrollton, TexasPolice DepartmentPolice Department

Community ProblemCommunity Problem

Oriented Policing Team:Oriented Policing Team:

Reducing Vehicle

Burglaries

22

City of CarrolltonCity of Carrollton

Dallas area suburb (North Dallas Area)Dallas area suburb (North Dallas Area) Approximately 116,500 residents and 37 Approximately 116,500 residents and 37

square milessquare miles Primarily single and multi-Primarily single and multi-

family residencesfamily residences Some light industry and Some light industry and

warehousewarehouse

33

Police DepartmentPolice Department

Sworn Officers: 157Sworn Officers: 157 Non-Sworn Personnel: 73Non-Sworn Personnel: 73 Operations Bureau, Patrol Division:Operations Bureau, Patrol Division:

– Authorized 80 officersAuthorized 80 officers– Usually staffed with 68-70 officersUsually staffed with 68-70 officers

44

Coordinating Problem SolvingCoordinating Problem Solving

Patrol Division

Day Shift (North/South)

Day Shift (North/South)

Night Shift (North/South)

Night Shift (North/South)

Power Shift

Power Shift

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Problem Solving GuidelinesProblem Solving Guidelines

Is it ethical?Is it ethical? Is it legal?Is it legal? Is it the right thing for the community?Is it the right thing for the community? Is it the right thing for the Carrollton Police Is it the right thing for the Carrollton Police

Department?Department? Is it within our policies and values?Is it within our policies and values? Is it something you can take responsibility for and Is it something you can take responsibility for and

be proud of?be proud of?

If the team’s answer to all of these questions is If the team’s answer to all of these questions is “yes,” then plan the implementation and do it!“yes,” then plan the implementation and do it!

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Vehicle Burglaries in Carrollton:Vehicle Burglaries in Carrollton:64 % Increase from 2000 to 200364 % Increase from 2000 to 2003

939

1132

1347

1543

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

2000 2001 2002 2003

Reported Vehicle Burglaries

77

Damages and Losses to Damages and Losses to Vehicle OwnersVehicle Owners

$620,876

$1,032,058$915,039

$1,269,221

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

2000 2001 2002 2003

U.S. Dollars

88

Officer Hours: Investigating Vehicle Officer Hours: Investigating Vehicle Burglaries and Taking ReportsBurglaries and Taking Reports

785

889946 984

0100200300400500600700800900

1000

2000 2001 2002 2003

Patrol Hours

99

Damages and Losses to Damages and Losses to Vehicle OwnersVehicle Owners

$620,876

$1,032,058$915,039

$1,269,221

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

2000 2001 2002 2003

U.S. Dollars

1010

Vehicle Burglaries in Carrollton:Vehicle Burglaries in Carrollton:64 % Increase from 2000 to 200364 % Increase from 2000 to 2003

939

1132

1347

1543

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

2000 2001 2002 2003

Reported Vehicle Burglaries

1111

Vehicle Burglary SequenceVehicle Burglary Sequence

1)1) Victim parks car outside, accessible to Victim parks car outside, accessible to othersothers

2)2) Victim leaves the vehicle, often unsecuredVictim leaves the vehicle, often unsecured3)3) Victim leaves property of value in the Victim leaves property of value in the

vehicle, unsecured and in plain-viewvehicle, unsecured and in plain-view4)4) Offender enters area, looking into vehiclesOffender enters area, looking into vehicles5)5) Offender sees property and enters the Offender sees property and enters the

vehicle (by force or through open vehicle (by force or through open door/window)door/window)

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Vehicle Burglary SequenceVehicle Burglary Sequence

6)6) Offender flees the area, usually un-Offender flees the area, usually un-apprehendedapprehended

7)7) Victim discovers burglary and reports Victim discovers burglary and reports offenseoffense

8)8) Officer responds, searches for physical Officer responds, searches for physical evidence, completes a police reportevidence, completes a police report

9)9) Detective examines the report and follows-Detective examines the report and follows-up on rare instances in which physical up on rare instances in which physical evidence or a suspect description existsevidence or a suspect description exists

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Analysis of OffenderAnalysis of Offender

Mostly young (under 25 years old)Mostly young (under 25 years old) Many offenders are school age since Many offenders are school age since

vehicle burglaries typically spike during vehicle burglaries typically spike during school breaksschool breaks

Offenses committed during the nighttimeOffenses committed during the nighttime Varying methods of entry, but offenders Varying methods of entry, but offenders

usually use one consistent methodusually use one consistent method Offenses committed for personal gainOffenses committed for personal gain

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Analysis of LocationAnalysis of Location

Vehicle burglaries reported citywide, but Vehicle burglaries reported citywide, but some areas are consistently hit harder than some areas are consistently hit harder than othersothers

Target Areas:Target Areas:– Consistently burglarized over long term (as Consistently burglarized over long term (as

compared to surrounding areas)compared to surrounding areas)– Offenses currently being reported (as compared Offenses currently being reported (as compared

to surrounding areas) to surrounding areas)

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1616

1717

1818

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Analysis of VictimAnalysis of Victim

Victim owns or drives a vehicleVictim owns or drives a vehicle Vehicle parked accessible to offenderVehicle parked accessible to offender Property of value left in vehicleProperty of value left in vehicle In many cases, victim does not lock or In many cases, victim does not lock or

secure vehiclesecure vehicle Victim can only give wide time gap during Victim can only give wide time gap during

which offense occurred (usually 6-8 hours)which offense occurred (usually 6-8 hours)

2020

Communication CampaignCommunication Campaign

City of Carrollton Reader BoardsCity of Carrollton Reader Boards

““Vehicle Burglary RisingVehicle Burglary Rising

Lock Doors/Secure ValuablesLock Doors/Secure Valuables

Don’t be a Victim”Don’t be a Victim”

2121

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Immediate Media ResponseImmediate Media Response

2323

2424

Report CardsReport Cards

All vehicles in target area evaluatedAll vehicles in target area evaluated

First Wave July 2004First Wave July 2004

– Over 600 vehicles evaluatedOver 600 vehicles evaluated

– 55 % vehicles failing (easy targets)55 % vehicles failing (easy targets)

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he information in this pamphlet

lists some of the common items,

methods and locations of vehicle

burglaries. You may be a potential

victim if you often leave valuable items

in your vehicle or park in high risk

areas. Reduce your chance of being a

victim of vehicle burglary—become

familiar with this information, and

practice the behavior found on the

deterrents list.

Carrollton Police Department

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

For more information please contact the

Carrollton Police Department Crime Prevention Unit

(972)466-3330

T

DID YOU KNOW…

* Vehicle burglaries occur most often on Holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

* The hours between 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. account for the majority of vehicle burglaries in apartment complexes and single family residences.

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Follow these Suggestions to Help Deter Vehicle Burglaries

Take keys out Lock your car Park in well-lit areas Park in attended lots Leave only ignition/door key with lot

attendant Completely close car windows when

parking Don't leave valuables in plain view

(remove valuables at night; place in trunk during the day if items must be left in vehicle)

Use your garage Lock garage door and vehicle inside Replace T-shaped door locks with straight

locks Engrave expensive accessories a Use tire/wheel locks Install an audible alarm Take out removable radios and face plates Avoid parking between large vehicles (they

provide cover) Do not approach your vehicle when a

stranger is near it; call 9-1-1 or security for escort.

H.E.A.T. (Help End Auto Theft in Texas) Texas is the first state to implement a program where vehicle owners sign an agreement allowing Police officers to verify ownership if the vehicle is observed during the HEAT hours of 1 a.m.-5 a.m.

What is a Vehicle Burglary?

State of Texas Penal Code: 30.04

A. A persons commits an offense if, without the effective consent of the owner, he breaks into or enters a vehicle or any part of a vehicle with intent to commit any felony or theft.

B. For the purposes of this section, “enter” means to intrude.

1. Any part of the body; or 2. Any physical object connected

with the body. 3. An offense under this section is a

Class A Misdemeanor

Items to Avoid Leaving in View

Phones Clothing Pagers Laptop computers Cigarettes Weapons Money (loose change) Cassette tapes CD’s Address books Briefcases Credit cards Purses Console visors Wallets Radar detectors Sports equipment(golf and baseball bags) Removable radios (including removable face plates for radios)

Be Aware of Burglary Methods and Locations

Entry methods: Break glass Left unlocked Pried/Jimmied Windows rolled down or half-rolled down Window vents Sliding windows (mainly trucks) Sunroofs Convertibles

Most common Points of Entry: Side and rear window Side door

High Risk Areas: Apartments Single family residences Auto parts/dealers/repair shops Shopping centers Restaurants Parks Bars

Suspicious Actions: Pulling door handles Looking in windows Odd clothing for the time for the year( e.g., long coats or gloves being worn in the summer)

Lookouts Nervous looking (looking all around, moving slowly or quickly)

Checking for alarms by bumping or hitting the window or bumpers for sensitivity.

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Tri-Fold PamphletsTri-Fold Pamphlets

More personal communicationMore personal communication Door-to-door campaign throughout Door-to-door campaign throughout

target areatarget area Personal contact and engagement with Personal contact and engagement with

residents of the arearesidents of the area

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Immediate Media ResponseImmediate Media Response

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Environmental ResponsesEnvironmental Responses

Canvassed target area, documenting Canvassed target area, documenting dark areasdark areas

Identified overgrown vegetation and Identified overgrown vegetation and non-functioning street lightsnon-functioning street lights

Partnered with City of Carrollton Code Partnered with City of Carrollton Code Enforcement to hold property owners, Enforcement to hold property owners, utility companies, and even the City utility companies, and even the City accountableaccountable

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Report CardsReport Cards

Second Wave September 2004Second Wave September 2004

– Over 600 vehicles evaluatedOver 600 vehicles evaluated

– 28 % vehicles failing (easy targets)28 % vehicles failing (easy targets)

– Significant reduction of easy targetsSignificant reduction of easy targets

Similar deployments throughout the Similar deployments throughout the City to prevent displacementCity to prevent displacement

3131

5.8 per Month Average

3232

1.00 per Month Average

3333

.33 per Month Average

3434

.64 per Month Average

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Average Monthly Vehicle Average Monthly Vehicle Burglaries in Target AreaBurglaries in Target Area

5.8

0.64

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Average Monthly Vehicle Burlgaries

Jan04-Jun04

Jul04-Aug05

3636

Citywide 2004 Results:Citywide 2004 Results:13 % Reduction in Reported 13 % Reduction in Reported

Vehicle BurglariesVehicle Burglaries

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

+21%+19%

+15%-13%

3737

Citywide 2004 Results:Citywide 2004 Results:23 % Reduction in Damages and 23 % Reduction in Damages and

Losses to OwnersLosses to Owners

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

+66%-11%

+39%

-23%

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Citywide 2004 Results:Citywide 2004 Results:10 % Reduction in Officer Hours10 % Reduction in Officer Hours

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

+13% +6% +4%-11%

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Contact InformationContact Information

Officer Travis JohnstonOfficer Travis JohnstonT.Johnston@cityofcarrollton.comT.Johnston@cityofcarrollton.com

Officer Christopher RosipalOfficer Christopher RosipalChristopher.Rosipal@cityofcarrollton.comChristopher.Rosipal@cityofcarrollton.com

Lieutenant Matthew KosecLieutenant Matthew KosecMatthew.Kosec@cityofcarrollton.comMatthew.Kosec@cityofcarrollton.com

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Contact InformationContact Information

Carrollton, Texas Police Dept.Carrollton, Texas Police Dept.2025 E. Jackson Rd.2025 E. Jackson Rd.

Carrollton, TX 75006Carrollton, TX 75006

972-466-3290972-466-3290

www.cityofcarrollton.comwww.cityofcarrollton.com