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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
| INCIDENT: | Nationwide Car Theft Problem Hitting Home |
| LOCATION: | Citywide |
| PREPARED BY: | Crystal Walker, Detective |
| CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO: | Charles Buttell, Detective
(805) 385-7755, charles.buttell@oxnardpd.org or Enrique Alvarez, Detective (805) 385-7664, Enrique.alvarez@oxnardpd.org |
DETAILS:
In the spirit of Informing, Educating and Empowering our community, the Oxnard Police Department (OPD) would like to advise the residents of Oxnard of a potential crime trend citywide. Since the beginning of June, the City of Oxnard has seen an increase in stolen vehicles, primarily, 1990’s Honda sedans. Year-to-date, Oxnard has had almost 400 stolen vehicles with 32% of them being Hondas. In June alone there have been over 30 with half of those being Hondas!
This is not a new or isolated trend. According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), nationwide, the top two vehicles listed on the “Vehicles Most Likely to be Stolen” graphic are Honda Accords and Civics.
July is “National Theft Prevention Month” and OPD is on a mission to stop vehicle theft! The Oxnard Police Department would like the residents of Oxnard to know that we are diligently working to solve the issue. Here is a partial list of OPD’s upcoming efforts to lower the instances of vehicle theft:
- Informational campaign to educate would-be victims on how to prevent vehicle theft;
- Educational Public Safety Videos;
- A #NotThisCar Campaign that sees detectives locating owners of 1990’s Hondas and providing them with steering wheel locks; and
- An enforcement campaign to target known car thieves and put them on notice that OPD is watching!
OPD offers the following safety tips to lower your chances of becoming a victim:
- Immediately report any suspicious activity! The police department encourages anyone with information about any criminal incident to call 9-1-1 or (805) 385-7740 from any phone.
- DO make sure you do not leave your keys in your car, on or off. If your car is left on to warm up: stay with your car. Your car can easily be taken if you are not there to watch it;
- DO make sure not to leave any valuable items in your car. These items are a temptation for someone to break your window and steal your things.
- DO NOT enter if you find your vehicle broken into. Call 9-1-1 and wait elsewhere for police arrival. Try not to touch anything as officers can possibly obtain fingerprints or other evidence.
The Oxnard Police Department has been focused on extensive public engagement and community outreach, encouraging residents to be “Partners in Public Safety.” Residents are reminded and encouraged to report any and all suspicious activity to police, and can do so anonymously, with translators available 24 hours a day. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.
In addition, the Oxnard Police Department has a limited number of steering wheel locks available, free of charge, to owners of the ‘90s Honda sedans. To obtain a steer wheel lock, contact Detective Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7755 or charles.buttell@oxnardpd.org or Detective Enrique Alvarez at (805) 385-7664 or Enrique.alvarez@oxnardpd.org
