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| INCIDENT: | Unattended Vehicle Enforcement Operation |
| DATE/TIME: | January 18, 2019, 5:30-7:30 a.m. |
| LOCATION: | Citywide |
| VICTIM(S): | State of California |
| PREPARED BY: | Robin Whitney, Commander |
| CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO: | Robin Whitney, Commander
(805) 385-7771 |
DETAILS:
This morning, between the hours of 5:30 and 7:30 a.m., officers from the Neighborhood Policing Team and Auto Theft Task Force conducted a citywide unattended vehicle enforcement operation. Forty (40) citations were issued to residents who left their vehicles running and unattended.
Some of the violators reported they left their vehicles running under the mistaken belief they needed to warm up their vehicles before driving them. However, it is not necessary to warm up a vehicle, particularly in our climate. Other violators reported they left their vehicles running because they wanted to warm up the cabin before driving. Both situations present an easy opportunity for a vehicle to be stolen.
Our city is currently experiencing a high level of auto thefts. In 2018, there were 786 vehicles stolen in the city, which represented a 13.4% increase in comparison to the previous year. 25% of the stolen vehicles in 2018 were considered to have been preventable, due to vehicles left running and unattended, keys left in the ignition/vehicle, or unsecured.
The Oxnard Police Department is committed to significantly reducing the number of motor vehicle thefts in 2019 by using innovative and creative techniques to proactively address the problem. However, the Department cannot do it alone, and needs the assistance of our residents.
The Department reminds our residents to:
- Lock vehicles and remove valuables. An unlocked vehicle is an invitation to a thief.
- Close all windows. An auto thief can gain access to a vehicle through the smallest of openings.
- Do not leave keys in the ignition or in the car. Many motor vehicle thefts occur as a result of vehicles left running.
- Do not leave a garage door opener in a vehicle. A thief can use it to gain access to a residence.
Residents can help in combating this problem by reporting suspicious persons or activity to the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.
The Department will continue with educating the public on this problem and conducting enforcement operations targeting owners who leave their vehicles running and unattended.
DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 18, 2019 / 3:30 p.m.