Vehicle break-ins continue to be a problem across North Texas, even rising in some communities.
Denton police report an increase in vehicle break-ins and thefts reported to them year-to-date over the same time in 2014.
The Denton Record Chronicle reports 225 vehicle burglary reports to police from January to June versus 206 the same time in the previous year. They also answered 74 vehicle theft calls in that time versus 58 in the first half of 2014, 19 of those coming in just the past month.
While there doesn’t seem to be an overwhelming reason behind the uptick, experts in town said they’re not surprised.
"In here, we see it almost every day,” said Brad Groover, Manager at AutoSound vehicle security in Denton. “I hate to say it, and it ranges from people at the store, to their houses, to just anywhere really."
Groover said during the summer he especially sells a lot of automatic starters so people can avoid leaving cars on, unlocked and unattended to cool down.
The Department of Public Safety lists that as one of their top tips to avoid vehicle thefts along with locking doors and use of anti-theft systems.
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Often in the Metroplex police report, people testing car doors in neighborhoods and parking lots to find unlocked vehicles and easy targets for theft.
Denton Police Officer Orlando Hinojosa said he continues to recommend resident follow the hide, lock, take system by keeping valuables out of vehicles or hidden before you reach your destination, and always locking vehicle doors no matter where you’re parked.
Groover said he sees security issues coming through his doors from all over the place and year-round, it’s not just a Denton issue.
