Car theft in Enid on the rise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James Bolinger
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Car theft in Enid is heating up during a summer that has treated Team Vance to mild temperatures and a wet June.

Enid Police report that 64 vehicle thefts, and 274 thefts from vehicles have taken place since Jan. 1 of this year, said Tom Watts, an Enid Police Department system administrator.

"People in Enid often feel that since the incidents of violent crime here are low, that the crime rate here is low," said Staff Sgt. Remmecya Lavant, a 71st Security Forces Squadron investigator. "This year the Enid Police department has been getting more calls about vehicle theft and break-ins than in recent years."

There have not been any reports of vehicle theft on Vance, however Team Vance members who live outside the gate or visit locations around the city should be aware of where they are parking their cars and what they are leaving inside of them, said Lavant.

There are no specific areas in Enid that are affected, she said. In fact the uptick in recent theft has been in neighborhoods, although parking lots are still at risk as well.

"People are very trusting of those in their neighborhood," said Lavant. "They like to think that they know everybody."

But anyone who leaves their car unlocked, or a purse or wallet in a visible location inside their car, is going to be more susceptible to theft, she said.

One of the biggest issues is people who "live" out of their cars, said Lavant. Leaving documents containing personally identifiable information like a Social Security card or birth certificate in a glove box is as bad has having your car disappear from your driveway. Now that person's identity can be easily stolen.

Lavant has several recommendations for Team Vance members to avoid becoming victims of vehicle theft.

1. Always take your car key, don't leave it in or on your vehicle.
2. Always close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
3. Park in well-lit areas.
4. Always keep your vehicle in your garage.
5. Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially where they can be seen.
6. Never leave the area while your vehicle is running.
7. Protect your vehicle with an antitheft/immobilizer device.

"Be mindful that the threat is out there," said Lavant. "Be smart and lock your doors and store your personal items out of sight."