Property crimes skyrocketted in the fourth quarter of last year.
Cases of theft, shoplifting, and mischief to property were up significantly, but thefts from vehicles were up a whopping 172%, jumping from 29 cases in 2018 to 79 in 2019.
Sargeant Peter Dionne says most of the increases came as crimes of opportunity.
“People aren’t breaking into cars to get things because if a door is locked, they just continue on and keep trying doors until they find one that’s open,” he said. “If vehicles continue to be left unlocked with valuables in them, then people who sustain themselves through property crimes are going to continue to be successful.”
Dionne said some of the increase can be traced to new reporting rules where unsubstantiated cases are now counted.
Year end statistics show property crime was up 31% to 1858 cases last year.
