A recent rise in car-related crime may have Gators searching for safer places to park.
According to the Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua County Sherriff’s Office, higher levels of vehicular burglary and tailgate theft from pickup trucks have been reported across the city.
Since Jan. 1, there have been 69 reports of vehicular burglaries, which is higher than normal, according to GPD Cpl. Audrey Mazzuca.
She said the main reason behind the burglaries is car owners leaving their vehicles unlocked. According to Mazzuca, this was the cause of 66 percent of car burglaries in 2009.
“It’s a crime of opportunity,” Mazzuca said.
“We create that opportunity when we leave our vehicles unlocked,” she said.
She also advised residents to take precautionary measures everywhere, even in familiar places.
“Lots of people think that just because they’re parked in the driveway that [their cars are] immune, but they’re not,” she said.
In order to deter potential thieves, Mazzuca says not to keep valuable items, such as GPS devices, cell phones, iPods, wallets and purses, within sight.
In addition, residents should not leave loose change within view because it serves as a main attraction to potential burglars.
According to ASO spokesman Art Forgey, tailgate theft is a new problem.
Since Jan. 19, three tailgates have been stolen.
According to Forgey, the tailgate thefts might just be a matter of coincidence as all three thefts occurred at different locations.
However, the fact that such activity has never been reported prior to the recent thefts, along with the fact that all the tailgates taken were taken from vehicles made by General Motors, has raised suspicion.
Fogery offered two potential motives behind the tailgate swipes.
One possibility is the demand for tailgates on the black market. Another is an attempt to replace their own tailgates to circumvent the costs of getting it replaced.
If you have any information regarding any burglaries or tailgate thefts, please call the sheriff’s office at 352-955-1818.
