Property Crime Prevention, Dec. 5

Since the start of the year, residents throughout Oregon have reported many incidents of theft, including vehicle break-ins. The reported crimes do not show a defined pattern for when the thefts are occurring, such as time of day or day of the week or even geographic location. What is evident is criminals are taking advantage of opportunities for these thefts to occur. High opportunity situations include: * Locations where cars will be parked for extended periods of time, unattended; * Locations with low or no lighting giving criminals a chance to work in the cover of darkness; * Vehicles with unlocked doors or windows; * Vehicles with items in plain sight; * Vehicles left running and unattended; * Doors and/or windows unsecured at residences or businesses. From the change in a car’s cup holder to purses left beneath seats, criminals are indifferent to whether or not the items have high value. To further public education efforts, law enforcement has released two new video reminders. The videos are intended to complement other portions of a public education campaign started this spring to decrease the rise in property crime in Salem. Video 1: Crime is About Opportunity | http://youtu.be/gmT7SjP6FJE; Video 2: Easy to Leave Behind | http://youtu.be/fzqEooTZ6bg