Carrollton, Texas Police Department Community Problem Oriented Policing Team: Reducing Vehicle Burglaries

2 City of Carrollton Dallas area suburb (North Dallas Area) Dallas area suburb (North Dallas Area) Approximately 116,500 residents and 37 square miles Approximately 116,500 residents and 37 square miles Primarily single and multi- Primarily single and multi- family residences Some light industry and Some light industry andwarehouse

3 Police Department Sworn Officers: 157 Sworn Officers: 157 Non-Sworn Personnel: 73 Non-Sworn Personnel: 73 Operations Bureau, Patrol Division: Operations Bureau, Patrol Division: –Authorized 80 officers –Usually staffed with officers

4 Coordinating Problem Solving

5 Problem Solving Guidelines Is it ethical? Is it ethical? Is it legal? Is it legal? Is it the right thing for the community? Is it the right thing for the community? Is it the right thing for the Carrollton Police Department? Is it the right thing for the Carrollton Police Department? Is it within our policies and values? Is it within our policies and values? Is it something you can take responsibility for and be proud of? Is it something you can take responsibility for and be proud of? If the team’s answer to all of these questions is “yes,” then plan the implementation and do it! If the team’s answer to all of these questions is “yes,” then plan the implementation and do it!

6 Vehicle Burglaries in Carrollton: 64 % Increase from 2000 to 2003

7 Damages and Losses to Vehicle Owners

8 Officer Hours: Investigating Vehicle Burglaries and Taking Reports

9 Damages and Losses to Vehicle Owners

10 Vehicle Burglaries in Carrollton: 64 % Increase from 2000 to 2003

11 Vehicle Burglary Sequence 1) Victim parks car outside, accessible to others 2) Victim leaves the vehicle, often unsecured 3) Victim leaves property of value in the vehicle, unsecured and in plain-view 4) Offender enters area, looking into vehicles 5) Offender sees property and enters the vehicle (by force or through open door/window)

12 Vehicle Burglary Sequence 6) Offender flees the area, usually un- apprehended 7) Victim discovers burglary and reports offense 8) Officer responds, searches for physical evidence, completes a police report 9) Detective examines the report and follows- up on rare instances in which physical evidence or a suspect description exists

13 Analysis of Offender Mostly young (under 25 years old) Mostly young (under 25 years old) Many offenders are school age since vehicle burglaries typically spike during school breaks Many offenders are school age since vehicle burglaries typically spike during school breaks Offenses committed during the nighttime Offenses committed during the nighttime Varying methods of entry, but offenders usually use one consistent method Varying methods of entry, but offenders usually use one consistent method Offenses committed for personal gain Offenses committed for personal gain

14 Analysis of Location Vehicle burglaries reported citywide, but some areas are consistently hit harder than others Vehicle burglaries reported citywide, but some areas are consistently hit harder than others Target Areas: Target Areas: –Consistently burglarized over long term (as compared to surrounding areas) –Offenses currently being reported (as compared to surrounding areas)

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19 Analysis of Victim Victim owns or drives a vehicle Victim owns or drives a vehicle Vehicle parked accessible to offender Vehicle parked accessible to offender Property of value left in vehicle Property of value left in vehicle In many cases, victim does not lock or secure vehicle In many cases, victim does not lock or secure vehicle Victim can only give wide time gap during which offense occurred (usually 6-8 hours) Victim can only give wide time gap during which offense occurred (usually 6-8 hours)

20 Communication Campaign City of Carrollton Reader Boards City of Carrollton Reader Boards “Vehicle Burglary Rising Lock Doors/Secure Valuables Don’t be a Victim”

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22 Immediate Media Response

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24 Report Cards All vehicles in target area evaluated All vehicles in target area evaluated First Wave July 2004 First Wave July 2004 –Over 600 vehicles evaluated –55 % vehicles failing (easy targets)

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27 Tri-Fold Pamphlets More personal communication More personal communication Door-to-door campaign throughout target area Door-to-door campaign throughout target area Personal contact and engagement with residents of the area Personal contact and engagement with residents of the area

28 Immediate Media Response

29 Environmental Responses Canvassed target area, documenting dark areas Canvassed target area, documenting dark areas Identified overgrown vegetation and non-functioning street lights Identified overgrown vegetation and non-functioning street lights Partnered with City of Carrollton Code Enforcement to hold property owners, utility companies, and even the City accountable Partnered with City of Carrollton Code Enforcement to hold property owners, utility companies, and even the City accountable

30 Report Cards Second Wave September 2004 Second Wave September 2004 –Over 600 vehicles evaluated –28 % vehicles failing (easy targets) –Significant reduction of easy targets Similar deployments throughout the City to prevent displacement Similar deployments throughout the City to prevent displacement

per Month Average

per Month Average

33.33 per Month Average

34.64 per Month Average

35 Average Monthly Vehicle Burglaries in Target Area

36 Citywide 2004 Results: 13 % Reduction in Reported Vehicle Burglaries +21% +19% +15% -13%

37 Citywide 2004 Results: 23 % Reduction in Damages and Losses to Owners +66% -11% +39% -23%

38 Citywide 2004 Results: 10 % Reduction in Officer Hours +13% +6% +4% -11%

39 Contact Information Officer Travis Johnston Officer Travis Johnston Officer Christopher Rosipal Officer Christopher Rosipal Lieutenant Matthew Kosec Lieutenant Matthew

40 Contact Information Carrollton, Texas Police Dept E. Jackson Rd. Carrollton, TX www.cityofcarrollton.com