Vehicle Theft Down in Jamaica Plain and Throughout Boston

By Abe Scherzer

Vehicle theft and attempted vehicle theft has declined significantly in Jamaica Plain this year.

There were 95 vehicle thefts or attempted thefts this year through Sept. 28 in Jamaica Plain, down from 174 during the same time last year.

The 45 percent drop is the largest in Jamaica Plain among crimes that the Boston Police Department reports by district.

To crack down on vehicle theft, Boston Police District commanders have organized sting operations with decoy vehicles, according to an e-mail from the Boston Police Department.

Boston Police advised residents that the most common items stolen were left in sight. These include GPS devices, money, stereos and stereo equipment, electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, Blackberrys and chargers, purses and briefcases.

The police department says vehicle theft crimes are among the most easily preventable. Usually car thieves look for unattended valuables.

To prevent vehicle theft, police advise car owners to remove their valuables or store them in the trunk. They also advise car owners to lock doors and windows, and warn that even a slightly cracked window makes break-ins easier.

The police department suggests car owners replace standard door lock buttons with tapered ones because they make it harder for thieves to use wires to unlock car doors. Officers advise car owners to buy anti-theft devices for their vehicles.

Michael Santary, an auto investigator in Boston, says vehicle theft is declining not just in Boston but throughout the country because of standard manufacturer installed anti-theft systems.

“Almost every new car across the country comes with a theft deterrent system,” Santary says. “This means a built-in alarm system. Five, ten, fifteen years ago this was optional.”

Santary explains that even some of the most basic elements of these systems can help eliminate crime. “Ford literally has a blinking light installed in its cars,” Santary says. “It doesn’t actually do anything, but this blinking LED system makes thieves go to the next car.”

“A lot of cars have micros chips installed,” Santary continues. “If you pull the key out, there’s no way to start it.”

The drop of vehicle thefts in Jamaica Plain was the fifth highest drop among the 12 Boston districts. The percent change between last year’s vehicle thefts and this year’s is the third highest among Boston districts. Vehicle thefts decreased in every district this year.

Vehicle theft decreased by 910 to 1,760 throughout all Boston, according to Boston police. Only larceny, which dropped by 1,335 incidences, saw a greater decrease in totals through Sept. 28. The 35 percent decline in vehicle thefts in all districts is by far the greatest percent change in monitored Boston crimes. The next closest percent change is for burglary, which declined by about 12 percent.