Archive
Explosion Reported During Sheriff’s Conference At Opryland www.privateofficer.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn.June 20 2012 - Emergency crews were called to the scene of an explosion during a sheriff’s convention at the Opryland Hotel.
The explosion was reported around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The National Sheriff’s Association annual conference was being held at the Opryland Hotel. Homeland Security was called to the scene.
Early reports indicated there was a mechanical explosion behind an elevator in the hotel. No injuries were reported and the building was evacuated. Significant damage was reported in the hotel.
It was unclear when people would be able to return to their rooms at the Opryland Hotel.
Police officers investigated after Taser used on advanced stage Alzheimer’s patient www.privateofficer.com
Peru IN June 20 2012
Several Peru Police Department Officers are under investigation about why they fired a taser multiple times on an advanced stage Alzheimer’s patient early Sunday morning.
Virginia and James Howard have been together since they were teens. Married for 45 year, James’ Alzheimer’s diagnosis more than a decade ago was devastating.
“Nightmare, I lost my best friend. We worked together. We did everything together,” said Virginia.
She placed James at the Miller’s Merry Manor Nursing Home a few months ago. She thought he was safe there until she got a call Sunday morning.
“I was getting up to take a shower to go take him out for Father’s Day breakfast. I got a call at 6 o’clock saying they were on their way to the hospital with him. He’s had an episode.”
When Virginia arrived at the hospital, she found her 64-year-old husband badly bruised and bleeding in the ER.
“I walked in, he was in handcuffs. He was bleeding, and was just sitting there crying. (He) wasn’t fighting anybody, he wasn’t doing anything. He just reached his arms out, I hugged him and we just cried.”
According to the police report, nursing home staff called 911 around 4:45 a.m. after James became quote “combative” and “struck several employees.”
Officers said James didn’t listen to several of their commands, so one of them fired a taser gun at him. The report said officers “tased” James three times despite, according to his wife, being told that he has advanced stage Alzheimer’s and cannot interpret or follow orders.
Virginia said she feels guilty any of it happened.
“I let him down. I promised him I’d be there for him and I let him down. I promised him he would never be hurt and I let him down.”
In addition to bruises, some of the skin on James’ left hand was torn by the handcuffs officers used.
Police said the officers involved, three according to Virginia, are under investigation. At least one of them is on administrative leave pending the outcome of that investigation.
Virginia Howard said there can be only one outcome.
“I want them fired. I want them never to be able to walk into a nursing home, and hurt another person, an innocent sick person that can’t defend themselves.”
Peru Police won’t comment on the incident or the investigation. Howard is already talking to attorneys.
Miller’s Merry Manor released the following statement Tuesday:
“Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to discuss anything related to our residents or employees without potentially violating HIPAA or other privacy regulations. The police investigation is an internal issue with the Peru Police Department. Miller’s Health Systems will fully cooperate with any investigations.”
Source:Fox59
Germany airport security officers holding strike www.privateofficer.com
The strikes are expected this morning at airports in Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Bremen and Hanover, the union said. Passengers may see disruptions at security gates.
Ver.di is negotiating a new wage agreement and the next meeting is planned for July 27.
Off duty Minneapolis police officer captures bank robber www.privateofficer.com
Doughten, date of birth 09/10/1933, of Louisville, Kentucky, was arrested following the bank robbery, which occurred at Wells Fargo Bank located at 2600 East Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Doughten was arrested at the bank without incident by an off-duty officer from the Minneapolis Police Department who was working as a security guard at the bank.
Following his arrest, Doughten was remanded to the custody of the Hennepin County Detention Facility in Minneapolis. Charges are pending in this matter.
Reported by: FBI
Sterling Heights man faces assault and theft charges in Home Depot attack www.privateofficer.com
MADISON HEIGHTS MI June 20 2012 – A Sterling Heights man faces assault and theft charges after police say he stole a powered hammer drill, tried to return it for cash without leaving the store, and attacked a security guard.
Argyris, 23, was arraigned Tuesday in Madison Heights 43rd District Court and jailed on $5,500 cash bond. The incident happened about 6 p.m. Saturday at the Home Depot store at 660 W. 12 Mile Road.
Police said the suspect entered the store and went to the power tool section where he selected a hammer drill worth about $229.
“He then walked to another part of the store and picked up a pair of scissors,” said Madison Heights Police Lt. Corey Haines. “He used the scissors to cut the sensor tag off the drill.” When the suspect cut the sensor off it started making an alert noise and the suspect walked away with the power tool, Haines added.
Police said Argyris then walked to the garden center area of the store where an employee asked if he could help the suspect.
“The suspect asked the employee if he could return the hammer drill without a receipt,” Haines said. “The employee told him he couldn’t and the suspect walked out of the store with the tool without paying for it.”
A Home Depot security guard stopped the suspect and identified himself.
“The suspect responded by grabbing the security officer by the throat,” Haines said.
source-daily tribune
Detroit man given prison time in $1.5 million ATM thefts www.privateofficer.com
Detroit MI June 20 2012 Ronald Page seemingly had it made when Bank of America unintentionally changed his account status, allowing the 55-year-old man to make unlimited ATM cash overdraft withdrawals.
But ABC News reports that Page, who in reality had only $300 in his checking account, used the accidental loophole to withdraw more than $1.5 million—losing it all on gambling.
And even worse for Page, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit says he is now facing 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of theft of bank funds, $1,543,104 in total between December 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009.
“In this case, the bank’s glitch allowed the defendant to lose a significant amount of money that was not even his in the first place,” reads the U.S. Attorney’s sentencing memorandum, obtained by ABC. “The fact that defendant acted on an impulse does not minimize the seriousness of his conduct and the need for a custodial sentence.”
The day the Bank of America glitch went into effect, Page reportedly withdrew $312,000 from ATMs at the Greektown Casino in Detroit and an additional $51,727 from the MGM Grand Casino. Bank of America placed a hold on his account 17 days later, but he had already withdrawn $1.5 million by that point.
The glitch reportedly occurred because Page originally had a banking account with LaSalle Bank. When Bank of America acquired LaSalle, the glitch somehow occurred while the two banking institutions were transferring account information.
Page, who does not have a prior record, could have faced a steeper sentence but prosecutors said his crime was a “lapse of judgment” and placed blame with Bank of America for allowing the withdrawals to take place.
In addition to the recommended 15-month sentence and order to repay the funds, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has suggested that Page be prohibited from gambling in any capacity.
“If his gambling addiction is not addressed, he is very likely to cause further financial hardship to himself and his family,” the memorandum reads.
Former TSA agent arrested for protesting pat down at airport www.privateofficer.com
Carol Price, of Bonita Springs, Fla., was traveling on United Airlines from Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers to Cleveland, Ohio on April 20, en route to her brother’s funeral in Cincinnati.
When she went through security, Price received a pat down that she felt involved “intrusive touching of her genitals and breasts,” said her lawyer, John Mills.
According to Mills, Price went over to Kristen Arnberg, her former supervisor, to complain about the pat down. When Arnberg asked what she meant by intrusive, Price demonstrated on her, said Mills.
“She used to be a TSA employee up until 2007, she obviously knows the procedure,” said Mills.
According to the police report, Price “did intentionally and without consent grab the victim and slide her hands into the crotch area” of Arnberg.
Mills says that Price and Arnberg did not get along when they worked together.
The police report states that Price “attempted to walk away from the scene” following the altercation, and disregarded a Lee County Port Authority police officer’s instructions to stay in the area.
Subsequently, Price was arrested for battery and resisting an officer. She is due in court July 2 on misdemeanor battery charges.
Mills says they’ve turned down all three plea offers and want to take the case to trial.
“She doesn’t feel like she’s done anything wrong, and I agree with her,” said Mills. “We hope to get a not guilty verdict and have her named cleared.”
According to Kate Hanni, director of FlyersRights.org, a non-profit airline consumer organization, there is a serious need to address airport security pat down protocol as passengers feel they are being violated.
“Most people don’t know how to file a complaint or who we could complain to at the TSA,” she said. “We really need to reevaluate who we’re hiring and also what kind of training is being given to these TSA agents to bring some consistency to the travel process.”
Hanni calls the security screening process at airports “the most degrading, undignified process,” and attributes part of the problem to corruption throughout the TSA agency.
“The TSA agents that work for TSA directly,” she said. “They virtually have all the job security they need, they almost are never fired unless they’re caught doing something wrong.”
The TSA at Southwest Florida International Airport has recently come under scrutiny after 42 workers, including the head of federal security, were disciplined earlier this month after an internal investigation uncovered hundreds of random screenings had not been performed last year.
A TSA representative could not be reached for comment.
Source: ABC NEWS
American Express Canada cardholders go to the front of the lines at airport www.privateofficer.com
Toronto Canada June 20 2012 American Express Canada will send its premium cardholders to the front of more security lines at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport under a deal that gives the credit card company prime ad space in Canada’s busiest air hub.
Platinum cardholders will be able to skip more long security clearance queues by flashing their cards throughout terminals 1 and 3 as part of a marketing partnership announced Monday.
“Select priority lanes are in place virtually in all airports around the world,” said Pamela Griffith-Jones, chief marketing and commercial officer for the Greater Toronto Airport Authority.
“At this point they’re available to frequent fliers through their airlines so this program just allows us to expand it to include these card members.”
Passing through a special lane doesn’t prevent passengers from actual security screening.
The credit card company wouldn’t discuss financial terms of the initial three-year agreement which American Express believes is the first of its kind in the world. It said the concept could be expanded elsewhere, but there are no immediate plans in place.
American Express cardholders will also receive complimentary valet services, a 15 per cent express and daily parking discount and designated taxi and limousine lines.
Access to premium lounges, including Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges, will continue for holders of premium American Express cards.
Griffith-Jones said the partnership with American Express will also enhance services available to all travellers, even those without this credit card, which is a priority for the operator of Canada’s busiest airport.
“We know sometimes that airports can be a source of great anxiety for our travellers and we’re constantly looking at new ways we can offer new services that will enhance the experience, reduce the anxiety and increase the efficiency of travelling through our airport.”
Even those without the credit card will have American Express sponsored access to free Wi-Fi throughout the airport and entertainment services under development.
American Express offers privileges that come with membership such as Front of the Line access to special events.
David Barnes, Canadian advertising and sponsorships vice-president, doesn’t expect any backlash from passengers, including those with regular American Express cards, who have to wait in regular pre-security clearance lines.
“By having another lane, it’s actually going to alleviate some of the traffic going through the regular lanes as well,” he said in an interview.
“I think it’s a balance between providing services specifically to our premium card members and also having benefits that are available to everyone.”
Consumers’ Association of Canada president Bruce Cran doesn’t see any problem with the fast lanes for certain credit card holders.
“I don’t see this as anything ominous, quite the opposite I’d say this is a demonstration of competitive practices,” he said from Vancouver.
Several passengers questioned at Pearson airport also gave their thumbs up to the plan, especially if it can speed up lines.
“I think anything to go faster through security checks will be great. In some airports in the country it’s slower than here so anything to help,” said Ron Simard, 54, a retail district manager.
Surendra Thapa of Niagara Falls, Ont., said the service would be appreciated by frequent business travellers to reduce the hours they spend waiting at the airport.
“I don’t think I would mind too much,” the 40-year-old engineer said when asked if he would be upset with people using their credit card to avoid a long line.
Aeroplan, the main loyalty program affiliated with Air Canada, welcomed the new initiative with American Express, one of its other main partners.
American Express AeroplanPlus Platinum cardmembers have access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, priority check-in and priority lane access at Pearson, said spokeswoman Christa Poole.
The agreement doesn’t lock out credit card competitors from having a presence at the airport, but as the preferred partner American Express will have access to prime advertising spots, Barnes added.
American Express said the new collaboration will promote its brand and help Pearson strengthen its position as a major North American gateway.
About 33 million travellers pass through the Toronto airport annually with the average visitor spending 2.5 hours at the large facility.
Colbert County firefighter killed in accident www.privateofficer.com
Four teens were riding in a car on Osborn Hill Road in Littleville when the car wrecked around 2 a.m.
Two of those teen were air lifted to Huntsville Hospital, but 19-year-old Chris Vandiver died in the wreck.
Vandiver was a volunteer fire fighter for Littleville.
Source: WAFF
Toddler Dies After TV, Dresser Falls www.privateofficer.com
Police chief John Pritchard says the girl’s mother found her just after noon Monday.
Police believe the girl climbed onto a stool to reach a large television on top of a dresser. The dresser tipped, causing the child to fall. A dresser drawer and the TV also fell, hitting her on the head.
Pritchard called the death a tragic home accident.
The girl’s name was not released.
Source:kake.com
Haley appoints former Boeing security officer as new Saluda sheriff www.privateofficer.com
Haley’s executive order filled the vacancy created last week when Jason Booth was indicted by a state grand jury and resigned.
In an executive order, Haley chose Luther Harris Nossett Jr., who is retired and living in Batesburg-Leesville, to the post.
In a telephone interview, the 60-year-old Nossett said he was sworn in early Tuesday.
“I’m very happy to serve the community,” said the married father of three and grandfather of 7. Nossett said he was drawn to South Carolina by the chance to boat and fish on Lake Murray.
He said he believes his volunteer work with the community brought him to Haley’s attention.
“I didn’t seek it, but I was pleased to accept the post,” Nossett said.
Booth resigned after a state grand jury indicted him Thursday on one charge of misconduct in office.
Booth was charged with using an inmate to work on his private property. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if he is convicted.
A resume released by Haley’s office said Nossett has been certified as a reserve deputy by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and has done volunteer work in the Saluda Sheriff’s office.
In his resume, Nossett said he was a program manager with Boeing in Chantilly, Va., from 1993 to 2009.
He also said he served from 1974 to 1993 with the Fairfax County Police Department in Fairfax, Va., rising from a patrol officer to major.
Nossett said he has a master’s in business administration from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s in justice administration from American University.
Saluda County, located about 45 miles west of Columbia, listed 19,875 residents in the 2010 U.S. Census.
Last week, Haley’s spokesman Rob Godfrey called the situation involving Booth “an unfortunate situation.”
According to prosecutor Strom Thurmond Jr., Booth used an inmate “to assist in building, constructing and working on Sheriff Booth’s private property in Saluda county.”
It said the activity occurred between Jan. 1, 2006, and Oct. 28, 2011.
“The use of this inmate for Sheriff Booth’s personal gain breached his duties to the public of good faith, honesty, and accountability,” Thurmond’s statement said.
Portland parents arrested in death of child www.privateofficer.com
PORTLAND OR June 20 2012 – Portland police detectives have arrested the parents of a 5-year-old boy who died last week after being brought to a hospital.
His parents said he was injured in a fall. However the Oregon State medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, saying the boy died of battered child syndrome.
Police Lt. Robert King said late Monday that the parents, 25-year-old Kalman Eteuati and 26-year-old Valisha Eteuati, have been arrested and jailed for investigation of murder.
Little Mahanarye Noa was brought to a hospital last Thursday. He died a short time later.
Anyone with information about the death was asked to call Detective Chris Traynor at 503 823-0449.
Woodbury public safety continue police-firefighter cross training www.privateofficer.com
Woodbury began the program in 2005, but it was halted in 2009 because of budget constraints. It costs $2,850 to cross train and equip a police officer as a firefighter, according to a council memo on the matter.
Such officers improve response times to fires, Public Safety Chief Lee Vague has told Patch, as police are often first on the scene when a fire breaks out.
Woodbury currently has nine cross-trained officers, and to staff the program 24 hours a day, it will need a total of 16.
Sedgwick County detention deputy accused of sexual misconduct www.privateofficer.com
Sedgwick County KS June 20 2012 The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office said a detention deputy accused of sexual misconduct has been arrested.
On Tuesday, authorities arrested David Kendall, 21, for two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, two counts of unlawful sexual relations, two counts of mistreatment of a confined person and one count of sexual battery.
The arrest stems from an allegation that Kendall sexually abused an inmate in his cell June 3. Attorney Mark Schoenhofer says a second victim filed a claim Monday.
The case will be presented to the District Attorney’s office for review.
More information is expected to be released at a 4 p.m. news conference.
Source:KAKE.com
NY-NJ Port Authority officer made $166,000 last year in overtime pay www.privateofficer.com
New York City Ny June 20 2012 Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) Sgt. Edwin Rivera earned more than $166,000 last year in overtime pay, more than double his base salary.
The New York Post reports that Rivera, 43, earned more overtime pay than any other employee of the New York and New Jersey Port Authority last year. And he already makes a top-level salary, earning a $107,911 salary to supervise other policemen on New York’s PATH train line.
“He’s on track to earn more than $280,000 in 2012,” one anonymous Port Authority official told the Post.
The shocking overtime report comes after a report last year revealed that the Port Authority budget would be handled by outside consulting firms aiming to reduce expenses.
In January 2012, Port Authority Executive Director Patrick Foye announced that the agency plans to eliminate bonuses and other benefits for nonunion employees, which is expected to save $41 million over 18 months, according to the Associated Press.
To put Rivera’s salary in context, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo earns a salary of $179,000. The Post pointed out a few other ironically comparable salaries, including that of a Senior NASA rocket scientist assigned to the New York area ($155,000) and the pay for a New York State Supreme Court justice ($160,000). While they all technically are paid a higher salary than Rivera, their actual pay doesn’t come close to his when all the overtime wages are factored in.
And it’s far from the only lucrative year in overtime pay that Rivera has earned. According to government-transparency site SeeThroughNY, he earned more than $200,000 each year for the last three years, including a high of $259,304 in 2010.
Miami-Dade private school teacher arrested on sex charges www.privateofficer.com
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Thomas Patrick Keelan had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student in 2009 and 2010. Their relationship continued for two years, during which time Keelan and the student had sex around 60 times, the student told authorities.
He taught English at Miami Country Day School for several years, then taught at Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach. He left South Florida and took a job in fall 2010 as the head of the English department at North Cross School, a private school in Roanoke, Va.
In May, the student, who is now 17, began working with law enforcement and placed several calls to Keelan. During those conversations, Keelan, 54, expressed his love for the student and planned to travel back to South Florida to have sex with the student, the FDLE said.
He promised they’d meet at the same hotel in Hollywood where they’d had previous trysts. During one call, he masturbated while on the phone with the student, according to police.
In late May, Keelan made a seven-night reservation at the hotel, and on June 15 drove to South Florida. But when he arrived at the Hollywood hotel, it was the police who were waiting for him.
Keelan, a graduate of Williams College and Middlebury College, taught upper school English and directed upper school Shakespeare plays for several years at Miami Country Day. He was also a private English SAT tutor. His contract was not renewed by the school for 2009-10.
Miami Country Day School Head of School John Davies could not be reached for comment.
Keelan has been placed on administrative leave at North Cross.
Authorities believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information should call FDLE at 888-356-4774 or local authorities.
Keelan appeared in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman on Monday. He was charged with attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor.
He has been booked into the Federal Detention Center in Miami.
Source:www.miamiherald.com
Third-Grader Strip-Searched at North Carolina School After Stealing Claim www.privateofficer.com
Justin Cox, a 10-year-old student at Union Elementary School in Clinton, was ordered to strip to his T-shirt and boxer shorts on June 1 after a girl student accused him of taking $20, WRAL TV reported.
He told his mom Clarinda Cox that a girl dropped the cash and he picked it up and returned it to her.
She told the TV station, “If I felt he needed to be searched, I would have brought him into the bathroom. You could have had a witness in the bathroom with me. I would have searched my son.”
Female assistant principal, Teresa Holmes, did not find the money, and hugged Justin and apologized to him afterwards, she claimed.
Holmes said the money was later found underneath the lunchroom table.
Sampson County Schools spokeswoman Susan Warren said Cox should have been informed about the search but that Holmes did nothing wrong and that a male janitor was present for the search.
Univ. of Md security officer dies on duty www.privateofficer.com
Michael Burriss, a security officer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), died of natural causes June 14 while on duty at the Pharmacy Learning Center at the UM School of Pharmacy.
“We are all truly saddened by the recent passing of Security Officer Michael Burriss,” said Colonel Milland Reed of the University Police Department. “Mike has been a valued member of our department for the past 17 years. He was a devoted employee and a fantastic co-worker. The entire department had great admiration and respect for him. He will be missed by everyone. On behalf of Chief Antonio Williams and the Department of Public Safety I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to his family in their time of mourning. We will support his family in any way that we can.”
“I’ve known Mike since my days in the Allied Health Building where he was a guard,” said Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP, professor and dean of the School of Pharmacy. “He was a comfort to see each morning, with his constantly smiling face and pleasant demeanor. It is hard to believe he isn’t with us anymore. The thoughts and prayers of the entire School of Pharmacy community are with Mike’s family, friends, and colleagues.”
School of Pharmacy systems administrator Thomas Dougherty, who works in the Pharmacy Learning Center, described Burriss as “always smiling, greeted everyone, and was very dependable.”
Colleague Ardeen Leake, also a UMB security officer, said Burriss “was my best friend. We were going to the same church. He loved the Lord, his wife, and his kids. He also loved his car, a GMC Savoy, which he called the Black Beauty.”
Vanessa Foreman, administrator at the Institute for Genome Science, says, “I am so sad to hear about Mike. He was one of the first friendly colleagues I met when I joined UMB in 1997. Mike was assigned to the Bressler Building at the time. He was sure to cheer you up with his greetings and smiles. He will certainly be missed. May God bless his family.”
Burriss was born in 1966. He began employment with the UMB Department of Public Safety on July 23, 1995. Burris was assigned to the Allied Health Building for many years before being assigned as a relief officer covering the Pharmacy Learning Center daily in the afternoon and closing out the Southern Management Corporation Campus Center in the evening. He was dedicated to the University and volunteered regularly for additional shifts.
Burriss is survived by his wife, Vivienne Burris, four children, and two grandchildren.
Burriss was known as “Big Mike” to his work family. He had a very deep and booming voice but was a gentle giant whose smile would light up a room, according to his colleagues. Two of his favorite sayings were “I gotcha, Darling” and “for sure.”
Burriss played recreational basketball for many years on campus and had the game of a lifetime when the UMB Police faced UMB Facilities, grabbing rebounds, scoring, and dribbling the ball the length of the court. He was a Washington Redskins fan living in the Baltimore area and supported the Washington Nationals as well.
Burriss recently starting attending New Psalmist Baptist Church.
A wake is planned for Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. and a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at Vaughn Greene Funeral Home, 4905 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212.
Contact Phone: 410-706-3801
Contact Email: efishel@umaryland.edu
Top 20 cities for car thefts leaned west again www.privateofficer.com
Los Angeles CA June 20 2012 Car and truck thefts nationwide fell in 2011 by 3.3 percent, according to the FBI data released just last week, and thanks to a platoon of modern technology, car thieves haul off fewer vehicles today than at any point over the past two decades. But there’s still more than 730,000 vehicles swiped every year — and a new report released today pinpoints the 20 cities where thefts are most likely. If you live in California, you might want to invest in some vehicle security.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau calculates the rate of vehicle thefts for 366 cities based on registration data and insurance reports. That rate means even small cities can rank high for auto thefts if they suffer a breakout or two of wheeljacking in any given year. While 50,671 vehicles were reported stolen in the Los Angeles area last year, it only ranked 23rd-worst for overall theft rate, while the New York-New Jersey metro area and its 29,135 vehicle thefts ranked 193rd, between Canton, Ohio, and Ocala, Fla.
And while this year’s top four cities are the same as last year’s, some police departments have shown how to fight back successfully. Laredo, Texas had the nation’s worst auto theft rate in 2009, but ranked 53rd this year, cutting thefts by more than half to 849 in 2011. The secret: More police officers, more public announcements about the problem and the purchase of two mobile monitoring towers that allow police to scan parking lots for suspicious behavior.
2011 Top 20 cities for auto theft
1. Fresno, Calif. 1
2. Modesto, Calif. 2
3. Bakersfield-Delano, Calif. 3
4. Spokane, Wash. 4
5. Yakima, Wash. 10
6. San Francisco/Oakland/Fremont, Calif. 9
7. Stockton, Calif. 7
8. Anderson, S.C. 33
9. Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif. 5
10. Visalia-Porterville, Calif. 8
11. Detroit, Mich. 12
12. Seattle/Tacoma, Wash. 13
13. Sacramento, Calif. 6
14. Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif. 21
15. Albuquerque, N.M. 20
16. San Diego, Calif. 15
17. Oklahoma City, Okla. 25
18. El Centro, Calif. 27
19. Las Vegas, Nev. 17
20. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. 18
Of the 20 worst cities, California accounts for 12, mostly in central California, which has struggled to fund police departments and has cities choked with vehicles. Fresno police say they’re already making progress on cutting auto thefts this year, telling The Fresno Bee that through March, thefts had been cut by a third. Washington State accounts for two cities among the top 10 with the highest theft rate, with Spokane fourth and Yakima jumping to fifth from 10th. The only East Coast city in the top 25: Anderson, S.C., a town of 25,000 which saw auto thefts jump 30 percent to 911 vehicles in 2011.
The least likely place for a car thief to strike? State College, Penn., with Elmira, N.Y., and Harrisonburg, Va., close behind. Rural cities tend to dominate the bottom of the list, simply due to less opportunity for a thief to strike. The full list can be found on the NICB website.
To prevent thefts, the NICB recommends every car get not just an alarm, but a tracking device — such as General Motors’ OnStar or the LoJack add-on systems — and an ignition override, like smart keys or hidden shut-off switches. Other tips: Have some form of visible security, such as a steering-wheel lock or alarm window decal. And don’t leave the car unlocked, a tip that should be common sense by now — but given how sophisticated some thieves have become, every extra step could be the one that protects you.
