Crime Report: Car Break-ins on the Rise

In recent weeks, there's been a rash of high-profile vehicle break-ins, carjackings and auto thefts in Atlanta.

The most recent theft occurred sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning in the 500 block of Flat Shoals Avenue in East Atlanta Village.

The victim reported her black, Honda CRV, with Indiana license plate No. CA9314, was stolen from the driveway.

The responding Atlanta police officer said more likely than not, it was teens looking for something to steal for a joyride.

Patch looked at the most recent year-to-date auto theft and vehicle larceny stats for the Atlanta Police Department's Zone 6, which includes East Atlanta,  Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland, Grant Park, East Lake, Old Fourth Ward among other neighborhoods.

Zone 6 reported 215 auto thefts between Jan. 1 and March 21 of this year.

That's a jump of 16.85 percent from last year's comparable period.

In fact, on a percentage basis, Zone 6 reported the highest jump in auto thefts, just slightly ahead of Zone 1, which includes portions of Northwest Atlanta.

In vehicle larcenies, Zone 6 reported 529 auto break-ins between Jan. 1 and March 21. That's an increase of 13.76 percent from the year-ago period.

Only Zone 2, which includes Morningside, Lindridge Martin Manor and Buckhead, was higher, with reported break-ins there rising 20.25 percent in that same period.

Zone 3, which includes Peoplestown, Summerhill and Chosewood Park, had a dramatic drop in vehicle larcenies with reported break-ins plunging 37.58 percent.

Here's the breakout for the APD zones:

• Citywide: Auto thefts — up 4.48%; vehicle larcenies — down 3.42%.
• Zone 1 - Auto thefts - up 15.86%; vehicle larcenies - down 7.45%
• Zone 2 (Morningside, Lindridge Martin Manor, Buckhead) - Auto thefts - up 15.32%,; vehicle larcenies - up 20.25%
• Zone 3 (Summerhill, Peoplestown, Chosewood Park): Auto thefts — down 3.37%; vehicle larcenies — down 37.58%.
• Zone 4 - Auto thefts - up 7.46%; vehicle larcenies - DOWN 29.00%
• Zone 5 (Downtown, Georgia State University area): Auto thefts — down 3.42%; vehicle larcenies — up 4.31%.
• Zone 6 (VaHi, PoHi, EAV, Candler Park, Ormewood Park, Kirkwood, O4W): Auto thefts — up 16.85%; vehicle larcenies — up 13.76%.

While you can't prevent all auto thefts or break-ins, APD says you can minimize the risk of making your vehicle an attractive target.

The department has been pushing its "Clean Car Campaign" for several months now and advises that you sweep your vehicles of anything that might make it tempting to break into it:

• Remove GPS and mounts
• Remove mobile phones
• Remove laptops and tablets
• Remove all power cords and power sources for your electronics
• Remove all shopping bags, briefcases, duffel bags and purses
• Don't leave wallets, loose change or currency out in open view
• If you have a gun in your vehicle, don't leave it there
• And while there's been some philosophical debate from some vehicle owners who leave their vehicles unlocked, APD says you should always lock your doors.
• It's best to sweep your vehicle before you get to your destination, not after.

As far as stolen vehicles go, the Honda Accord is the No. 1 stolen vehicle in Georgia and nationally, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The data is from 2010, the most recent figures available.

Rounding out the Top 5 both in Georgia and across the country are Honda Civics, Toyota Camrys, Ford F150 pickup trucks and Chevrolet pickups, the NICB says.

Here's how the NICB breaks it down:

Most Stolen: Georgia -2010

If it's any consolation, eight of the Top 10 metro areas for stolen vehicles are in California. The remaining two slots in the Top 10 are in Washington State.

Metro Atlanta ranks 30th behind metro Macon, which is No. 14 and metro Columbus, No. 20.

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