The city of Mill Creek remains relatively free of violent crime, but property crimes continue to increase.
According to statistics released by the Mill Creek Police Department, auto theft and property theft showed significant increases not only from 2004 to 2005, but have become worse in the last six years.
The number of auto thefts, for example, has more than doubled from 2003 (63) to 2005 (133). Of 23 categories the department tracks, auto theft showed the greatest increase from 2004 to 2005, with reported incidents increasing 48 percent.
“That’s not just us, it’s regional,” said Mill Creek police chief Bob Crannell, claiming that Everett and Lynnwood are also seeing a rise in auto theft.
The increase has taken place even though all the department’s patrol cars were equipped with LoJack detectors two years ago. LoJack is an auto security device triggered the minute a car is reported stolen. Police can then track down and find an equipped stolen car, but the cost of a system is approximately $700.
Nonetheless, investing in some kind of anti-theft device, such as a Club, is an effective deterrent, Mill Creek community service officer Michele Pellettieri said.
If you can afford it, take advantage of the equipment,” she said. “If you have the device, use it. It really does work to deter the auto thief.”
Crannell says that part of the stolen car problem is thieves taking them for joyrides, saying that it’s not uncommon for officers to respond to a stolen vehicle report and locate another stolen vehicle nearby.
“What (car thieves) are doing is they’re stealing one, dumping it, and then stealing another,” Crannell said. “It’s more of a joyriding issue.”
Overall, car thefts in Mill Creek have gone up five-fold since 2000. Crannell says there isn’t much the police can do to prevent auto theft, but people can take their own steps. As an example, Crannell cited the upcoming summer warmth and the likelihood that people will leave their car windows down when their vehicle is parked. Doing that basically invites thieves, Pellettieri said.
“It takes seconds for an experienced thief to jump in and drive away,” she said.
Other tips Pellettieri offered include parking vehicles in a garage and turning a car’s wheels into the curb.
“Not only will this action lock your steering wheel, but it makes it more difficult to tow or push cars with turned wheels,” she said. “It is a simple way to prevent your car from being stolen.”
Car prowls, meanwhile, continue to be one of the largest sub-categories of property theft the department takes reports on. Car prowls are also a crime police say is largely avoidable.
A big part of the problem, police say, is that people offer thieves tempting items to take from a vehicle, such as a cellular phone, compact discs, gym bags, purses, camera equipment, even laptop computers.
“It’s a crime of opportunity,” Crannell said. “If they’re looking in a car, generally they’re going to ask if it’s worth the risk. If they see something they can easily take and not get caught, they’re going to take it. But if you take away the reward, they won’t take the risk.”
While car thefts and prowls rose last year, the department has had its share of successes. Among them are the increases in block watch programs in local apartment complexes involving management and residents. Such complexes have been frequent car theft and prowl targets.
“The message I’d like to share is that based on the growth of the city, we’ve done a good job keeping a lid on (crime),” Crannell said.
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