Crime statistics from 2009 released by the Madison Police Department last week reveal that although crime was down by 4.4 percent overall, theft increased.
According to MPD, the 4-percent increase in theft last year is largely because of a dramatic increase in vehicle break-ins. In MPD Cpt. Mary Schauf's most recent newsletter, she said theft from auto is an area of particular concern.
""There is no doubt that the thefts from vehicles continue to be an issue,"" she wrote. ""This is an example of a crime of opportunity. The items taken from auto are easily concealed, saleable for quick cash and all too frequently just lying in view behind that glass window.""
There were 399 instances of theft from cars in the Central District of Madison last year, compared to 284 in 2008. According to MPD Lt. Dave McCaw, the increasing popularity of GPS navigation systems may be a contributor to the rise in break-ins.
McCaw told The Capital Times that units are a ""hot commodity"" because they are easily pawnable because of a lack of a lack of easily traceable serial numbers. Other items left in plain sight, such as iPods, cell phones and laptops, also make vehicles likely targets, McCaw said.
Schauf said the quick cash from thefts from vehicles often are used for drug and alcohol purchases. She said prevention, such as not leaving items like purses and bags in plain view, is the best method.
McCaw agreed, saying a thief may simply walk by the vehicle if they see nothing of value in plain sight.
—Grace Urban
