From January through March of this year 192 autos were stolen citywide in Madison. That’s 40 more vehicles than the first quarter of 2020 representing a 26% increase. Many of the vehicles were left unattended with the engine running at the time of the theft.
Unfortunately many of the vehicles were also used in other crimes including purse snatchings at a Hy-Vee on the east side and also at Target on Junction Road and the Sequoya Library at Midvale and Tokay Boulevards on the west side. Suspects driving stolen cars were also involved in robberies, thefts and several hit and run crashes that damaged vehicles, a traffic pole and a tree.
“Neighbors who know each other and their neighbor’s routines are more likely to notice and report suspicious activity”
You can help prevent crimes of opportunity by making it a habit to check that your garage, vehicles and home are locked up before you turn in each night. Don’t leave extra keys in your vehicle, and if you keep your keys near the service door between your home and garage, consider moving them to a more secure location. Thieves check service doors because often homeowners leave them unlocked and then also store not only keys but also wallets, purses smartphones and other valuables near that entrance making them easy steal quickly without being detected. You can get more crime prevention tips on MPD’s website.
Fitchburg Police add that keeping your garage door closed all times is the “number one way to reduce most of the property crime we encounter” and they add “Don’t know your neighbors? Go introduce yourself. Neighbors who know each other and their neighbor’s routines are more likely to notice and report suspicious activity.” You can learn more about the Good Neighbor Project here.