Car Theft Increases in West Campus

            Police say a dramatic increase in thefts has occurred around Austin, especially in West Campus and East Riverside. Police warn drivers to be on guard to protect their vehicles.

            This year, in the month of January and February alone, there has been 61 cars stolen in Austin; only 25 cars have been stolen during this same time frame just last year. “We alone get about four to five calls a month regarding car theft,” Darrell Halstead, UT crime prevention specialist said. As to the sudden spike in car theft, Police believe that vehicle theft is a gateway crime that could lead to human smuggling, drug trafficking, and weapon smuggling.

Grant Keefer, a UT student and a victim of car theft said, “It was the scariest moment of my life. The most expensive item that I owned was stolen from me, and the worst part was I had no idea what my car was being used for. The thought of somebody being kidnapped in my car absolutely terrified me.”

Thieves mostly stole large Chevrolets, Fords, and Dodges which are found by police in counties near the Texas-Mexican border. Thieves have greater access to drugs, weapons, and fake identification in this area. They can get away with a crime more easily near the border because there tend to be less people around and more relaxed rules.  Thieves usually remove the backseats to make more room for their next crime.

            In response to this growing problem, Austin Police Department and the UT police department are taking extra measures, adding extra patrol officers to night shifts around campus, installing more lights around West Campus, and taking extra time to teach civilians in these areas about how to prevent this crime.

The biggest point they stress is keeping your car doors locked at all times; approximately half of the vehicles stolen have been left unlocked. “Property crimes tend to be the most common criminal activity for students in this area because of leaving cars unlocked, leaving valuables out in the open even if the car is locked or even leaving their apartment door unlocked so that anyone can come in and take something,” said Austin Police Department Crime Analyst Melissa Vanladingham.

Keefer shook his head slowly and looked very disappointed when he said, “I feel so stupid for leaving my car unlocked. I have always heard stuff like this happening but I never thought it could happen to me. I should have been more careful.”

The UT police department  proves to be very helpful to students in and around campus, they have created a section of their website called “Property Registration” where students can register all of their property so if something becomes stolen from them, police officers could track their items and have a better chance of finding and returning them to the student.

            Along with locking car doors and registering property with the campus police, police advise students to always take car keys with them, and always park in well-lit areas. “You’re only as safe as you allow yourself to be,” said Halstead, “Take all these extra steps to keep yourself and your belongings safe.”