Vehicle burgs...

I went to Oroville yesterday to testify in court on a case I worked.  As I got out of my vehicle I glanced at my surroundings, including the vehicle parked next to me.  A wallet positioned on top of the center console caught my eye.  The wallet was well used, and appeared quite full.  I shook my head as I walked to the courthouse.  Here is a victim just waiting for the right criminal to come along.  

Chico has some of the most beautiful recreation places were lots of Chicoans go to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy the scenery.  To the average person, this seems like an innocuous place to spend some quality time.  To the criminal, it is a smorgasboard of purses in vehicles for the taking.  

In my article entitled Identity Theft in Chico, I related a story about my friend's vehicle being broken into.  These types of criminals have their trade down to a science.  The common theme, is for a criminal to smash a window, take the item (purse, wallet, planner, bag, you name it) and be gone within a minute.  Soon the credit cards are tested and if not cancelled yet, the buying spree is on.  Unfortunately, with some companies policies to not check identification, self-cashing lines, etc. it's easier than ever for the criminals.  

The Chico Police Department's website lists 206 vehicle burglaries in the Chico area, in the first three quarters of 2008 (apparently the last quarter hasn't been tallied yet).   Having worked the last quarter of 2008 on patrol, I'm sure the numbers will be significant.  Criminals have to buy Christmas presents for their kids too, and vehicle burglary seemed to be just the ticket for them.  

Churches are another area where Chicoans are being targeted.  Worrying about one's purse when you're trying to herd the kids into church is probably at the end of a long list of concerns for most people.  I've heard the theme more than once, "But I was in church!"  While those attending may have good intentions and a positive grasp on the eighth commandment, the criminal mind thinks of it as a situation where there is a whole parking lot full of cars, who's owners are guaranteed to be away for at least an hour.  

Pastors, Bishops, Priests, Rabbis, Imams, and any other group leaders, please let your congregations know not to leave their purses and other valuables in their cars.  If the supply goes away, the criminals will go somewhere else.  

I was impressed the other day while taking a vehicle burg. report in upper park.  The lady had forgotten to leave her purse at home when she went to take a short hike.  She had the wherewithal to at least take all of her credit cards, driver's license, and checks and put them in her pocket.  She did place her purse under the seat, which was taken by the burglar.  Total loss: a purse, some low value personal stuff, and a window.  

So here are some guidlines to prevent yourself from becoming the victim of a vehicle burglary:

1) NEVER EVER, EVER, EVER leave a purse on top of the seat, on the floor board or anywhere in your vehicle.  Hint: Hiding stuff under the seats is about as obvious as trying to hide your wallet in your shoe at the beach.  That leads to alot of shoes without wallets at the end of the day.  

2) Take your purse with you.  Purses have a really neat design feature, called a "strap."  This ingenious feature allows the transportation of your personal belongings and prevents bad people from breaking your car windows and taking them.  

3) Pass this information along to others and dry up this criminal cash cow.