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PROPERTY CRIME HURTS EVERYONE
HPD's 2002 Annual Report shows that there were 54,670 property crimes
on Oahu a 19% increase in property crimes over 2001. Property crimes
include burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. Auto thefts had the
most dramatic increase last year with 8,488 crimes reported, a nearly 52
percent increase from the 5,597 thefts in 2001.
While these property crimes are devastating to the victims, theft hurts
everyone. It can result in declining property values, higher insurance
rates, increased cost for enforcement and other problems for residents.
Property crime against tourists paints Hawaii negatively as a travel
destination and can hurt our economy by decreasing tourism.
It's NOT just a property crime, and there are things that we all can
do to avoid being victims of theft and discourage it overall.
Star Bulletin - Oahu's Property Crimes Soaring
Honolulu Advertiser - Theft poses challenge for Hawaii tourism
TOP 5 WAYS TO PREVENT YOUR CAR
FROM BEING STOLEN
1. DON'T LEAVE THE CAR KEYS IN THE IGNITION - Remove the ignition key and secure all
vents, doors and windows when it is necessary to leave your vehicle unattended.
Remember: failure to remove the ignition key is a violation of the law if parked
on public property (according to the Honolulu Police Department).
2. DON'T HIDE A SPARE KEY IN THE CAR IN A "SPECIAL HIDING
PLACE" - "Hiding" spare keys under the carpeting or over a sun visor is about
as clever as leaving a house key under the doormat. Thieves know all the
obvious places to look.
3. DON'T LEAVE PACKAGES AND ITEMS IN PLAIN VIEW IN THE CAR -
Do not leave luggage, packages, or other easily removed items in plain view
inside your automobile. Lock your property in the trunk.
4. DON'T TRANSFER BELONGINGS TO THE TRUNK WHILE IN PLAIN
VIEW - Avoid transferring items to the trunk of a vehicle at a location where it is parked. A thief may be watching. Checkbooks, credit cards, or other credentials (which a thief could misuse) should not be left in a car.
5. DON'T PARK IN A DARK/DIMLY LIT AREA WITHOUT A PARKING ATTENDANT- Park in well-lit areas - car thefts occur at night more than half the time
Click for more info:
Honolulu Police Department
crimestoppers-honolulu.org
HOW BIG A PROBLEM IS CAR THEFT?
STAR BULLETIN
Friday, January 24, 2003
There were 8,445 cars stolen in 2002, according to Honolulu police statistics, a 50.1 percent increase from the prior year at 5,597. The 2002 total broke a previous auto theft high on Oahu set in 1995, with 7,440 stolen that year.
There were close to 25,000 more cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles on the road last year than the prior year, according to the City Department of Motor Vehicles. Statistics show that in 2002 there were 656,197 registered vehicles, up from 631,237 in 2001 and 614,985 in 2000.
Click for more info:
HPD Says Car Thieves are Repeat Customers
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TOP 10 CARS STOLEN IN HAWAII
Source: CCC Information Services
1) 1995 Honda Civic EX
2) 1990 Toyota Camry
3) 1990 Honda Accord LX
4) 1996 Acura Integra LS
5) 1991 Toyota Camry
6) 1993 Honda Civic Del Sol S
7) 1994 Honda Civic DX
8) 1995 Honda Civic DX
9) 1990 Honda Accord EX
10) 1990 Honda Civic
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Number of Auto Theft Cases
1993 4,460
1994 5,727
1995 7,440
1996 6,370
1997 5,589
1998 4,750
1999 3,997
2000 5,214
2001 5,597
2002 8,488 (52 percent
increase over 2001)
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Auto Thefts Per
100,000 Population
2000 595.1
2001 635.5
2002 958.8
Number of Adults
Arrested for Auto Theft
in 2002 - 980
Number of Juveniles
Arrested for Auto Theft
in 2002 - 176
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WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? (GET INVOLVED!)
1. Report a theft in progress if you see one.
2. Report suspicious activity in your neighborhood and/or at work.
3. Cooperate with law enforcement officials once a crime has been committed.
4. Be willing to testify in court if you are a victim of auto theft or fraud.
5. Cooperate with your local neighborhood block watch leaders or contact your local law enforcement agency for help in starting a neighborhood block watch.
Click for more info:
The "Layered Approach" to Protection
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BE INFORMED - DON'T PURCHASE A STOLEN VEHICLE
1. Use Common Sense. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
2. Don't meet the seller in an unsafe location. Meet at a permanent location of the seller and avoid situations where you can only meet the seller by pager.
3. Let the seller know you will not be bringing cash, but will pay by personal or cashier's check if you decide to purchase the vehicle.
4. Ask the seller for a valid picture I.D., and compare the information to the vehicle registration and title.
5. Be leery of pre-signed ownership documents, or sellers who are not both the registered and legal owners. The documents may be forged, or a lender may have a lien that prevents transfer of title.
6. If the ownership documents are recently issued or duplicate, the vehicle may have changed hands recently or the title lost. Inquire why!
7. Check the ownership documents for an indication that the vehicle is a salvage and be very cautious if it is. Many salvage vehicles are rebuilt with stolen parts or are unsafe. Also be alert to these issues if any vehicle appears to have been extensively damaged or rebuilt.
8. Be sure all numbers match. Look at the numbers on both the Vehicle Identification Number plate and the license plate. They should be the same on both the vehicle registration and title.
9. Before you pay, be sure documentation is adequate to obtain registration and legal title. Check with the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) first if there is any doubt.
Click for more info:
Don't Purchase a Stolen Vehicle
DETER AUTO THIEVES WITH VIN ETCHING
What is VIN etching? It's having the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of your vehicle etched into the windows of your car or truck, using an etching stencil and gel. VIN etching is harmless to windows and doesn't detract from the visual appeal of a vehicle.
Why do car thieves avoid a VIN etched car?
1. If a thief steals a car with VIN etching on it, the glass of the vehicle must be replaced before the vehicle can be sold and that is very expensive.
2. Theft of a vehicle for parts is also deterred because chop shops do not want the vehicles glass around the shop with the incriminating VIN number etched into it.
3. VIN etching makes your car or truck much more easily identifiable by police making it a riskier proposition for thieves. The Honolulu Police Department and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney are offering free VIN etching at events around the island.
Below is a schedule of events and dates for free VIN etching with more being added throughout the year.
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