Crime

"Carelessness could reverse downward trend of Car Thefts"

By Chelsea Rice

BROOKLINE—The police department attributes the recent decrease in motor vehicle theft and an increase in larceny this year to a change in criminals' thinking and residents’ carelessness. They are more likely to steal the items on the dashboard than the car these days, said Chief Daniel C. O'Leary. Which he said is even easier because more people are carelessly leaving their cars unlocked.

The Brookline Police Department reported a 26 percent decrease in motor vehicle thefts from 2006 to 2007, but a 22 percent increase in theft, of which 31 percent were motor vehicle break-ins. In the 2007 crime report, the police department attributes the spike in thefts to an increase in car break-ins.

Residents said the statistics reflect their personal experiences.

Even though there was a higher trend of car thefts in the past, Sandra Gail, a 56-year-old Brookline resident of 20 years, said they are more likely to steal things on the car—her hubcaps were stolen a couple of years ago.

"But I've always felt perfectly safe," Gail said.

Stephanie Albero, a junior at Simmons College, had her car stolen three years ago, and when it was retrieved, everything in the car, her first-aid kit, money, had been stolen, but neither she nor her roommate who also have cars, have since had an incident.

"There is a prevalence of electronic devices that are so easy to transport that people leave in their cars," O'Leary said. "It is easier for [criminals] to get rid of GPSes and laptops, especially when people are leaving their cars unlocked."

Lea Cohen, a real estate agent who lives in Brookline and works along Beacon Street, had her old Honda Accord broken into five years ago in Brookline. She said she parks her new car, a luxury vehicle, on the street and accidentally left it unlocked recently.

"Obviously I think Brookline is very safe," Cohen said.

From 1996 to 2004, Brookline exceeded 100 vehicle thefts or attempted thefts each year. In 2007, it ranked far below the national average, which had 279 car thefts or attempted thefts per 100,000 people, according to the U.S. Department of Justice statistics. Brookline, with a population of more than 50,000 in the 2000 Census, and only 47 car thefts last year, is at least four times lower than the national average.

Although the most recent statistics from the first half of the year show that vehicle thefts are up to 14 in comparison with nine from this time last year, O'Leary said he isn't concerned because of how minor the increase is so far.

"The new anti-theft devices make it too difficult to steal the car," O'Leary said of the national decrease in car thefts. "They almost need a tow truck."