 New APD
Awareness Campaign Says: Remove It or Lose It!
 The Arlington Police Department is seeing the numbers drop.
Since the department began its vehicle burglary prevention campaign
two years ago, they have seen a 17 percent reduction in the number
of reported auto burglary offenses.
In June 2009, there were 629 vehicle burglary offenses reported in
Arlington. During the same 30-day period in 2010, the number dropped
to 519.
June is typically a very active time for auto burglaries, said Lt.
David McGinty who is heading up the month-long awareness program which
involves Crime Prevention Officers, community leaders, neighborhoods
and businesses distributing flyers and prevention information.
 Using Facebook and Twitter, the department is using popular social
media networking sites to reach more people. Residents are being
reminded to remove valuables, lock the vehicle and set the alarm.
Why is June the most active month for auto burglars?
“Summer vacations have started,” McGinty said. “There are more
people in area parks and more visitors in town for Six Flags,
Hurricane Harbor, Rangers games and other special gatherings.”
“Vehicle burglary becomes a crime of opportunity. People park the
vehicle and don’t think to lock it,” he said.
With the campaign slogan “Remove It or Lost It,” this year’s goal is
to reach more people with prevention information and reduce vehicle
burglary offenses by 50 percent.
Overall, vehicle burglary offenses are down 10.8 percent for the
entire year from 6,300 in 2009 to 5,620 in 2010.
“We believe that if we get prevention information to as many people
as we can possibly reach, we can significantly reduce these types of
offenses,” he said.
Download Campaign flyers
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