Fewer cars stolen in Yuma so far this year

  Fewer cars have been stolen in the city of Yuma this year when compared with last year's figures.

  In fact, according to Officer Clint Norred, spokesman for the Yuma Police Department, the number of auto thefts through the first six months of this year is significantly down compared with the same period last year.

  "I think the trend will continue, but there is no guarantee," Norred said. "It's great to talk about numbers, but the number isn't final yet and can still go up. We are hopeful it won't, though."

  Through July this year, 216 automobiles were reported stolen, compared with 416 by the same time last year.

  This is the third year the number of auto thefts in the city of Yuma has decreased, according to Norred. In 2006, 745 vehicles were reported stolen in the city of Yuma and in 2007, 632 vehicles - an 8.5 percent decrease over the previous year.

  While the lower number of cars being stolen in Yuma could be part of a national trend, Norred said the things that YPD is doing could also be contributing to the decease.

  One is the "bait vehicle" program YPD launched earlier this year, after a report that 54,000 vehicles were reported stolen in Arizona during 2007.

  YPD's "bait vehicle" is fitted with a Global Positioning System tracking system, as well as an internal video system that is activated when the vehicle is tampered with or stolen.

   The system also alerts police dispatchers, who will then be able to track the vehicle's progress.

  Also, as part of YPD's aggressive approach, the police department is raising community awareness about the auto theft problem through public service announcements.

  The two 30-second PSAs YPD made, which were produced by the city of Yuma's Channel 73, ran on cable television stations in the Yuma viewing area.

  The first PSA, which ran in July, was about the vehicle bait program while the second one, which aired in August, dealt with auto theft prevention.

---
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.