Lately, Tuesdays have been the most frustrating day of the week, because on that day the crime statistics for the previous week are distributed to the police department’s command staff for analysis and presentation. For the past several weeks, each of the three geographic policing areas has been victimized by several vehicle burglaries and thefts from vehicles. Although Woodbridge fared better than most large communities, what is troublesome is the fact that many of these crimes could have been prevented, had the victims not left their valuables on display inside their vehicles.
     It is understandable that people would assume that since Irvine is America’s Safest City for the fourth straight year, that they need not worry about crime. However, Irvine does have crime, but in comparison with similar sized cities, it continues to remain the safest with respect to violent crime. During the past month, the Crossroads Policing Area, which includes Woodbridge, averaged six (6) vehicles per week that were victimized by thieves. In half of those crimes, the victims left their cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles unlocked with valuables inside. Items taken included laptop computers, digital cameras, global positioning systems (GPS), Ipods, purses, and a musical keyboard left overnight in the bed of a pickup truck. Irvine Police officers did successfully arrest one subject responsible for some of these crimes, but several victims will never see their property again.

To raise the public’s awareness, officers are placing precautionary notices on parked vehicles that they observe containing valuables in plain sight. Each notice alerts motorists to the following points when leaving their vehicles:

Criminals cannot resist when you leave items in plain view. Even if items taken are not valuable, you still have to repair the damage. Protect yourself and your belongings. If you notice suspicious activity, persons, or vehicles, call the police immediately.