SLCPD reports “dramatic” decrease in car theft and burglaries
Dec 1, 2023, 6:14 PM
Photo of a Salt Lake City Police Department vehicle. Salt Lake City Police are investigating what they say is Salt Lake City's fifth homicide for the year 2024. (File photo)
(File photo)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department said Friday that, thanks to its Auto Theft and Property Crimes Units, car burglaries and car thefts in the city have seen a “dramatic” decrease.
According to a press release, as of Nov. 26, 2023, there have been around 450 fewer cars stolen since this time in 2022. That’s a 29% decrease.
In addition to this, Salt Lake City has seen more than 1,200 fewer car burglaries compared to 2022.
“The work of our detectives and officers directly impacts our community,” said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown in the press release. “A 29% reduction in both auto theft and vehicle burglaries is a testament to the work of our officers and professional staff, as well as our stratified policing model. It’s also a challenge to all of us to continue our strategies to reduce crime throughout our city.”
This is a far cry from 2020, according to the SLCPD. In 2020, there was a spike in car thefts across the country, including in Salt Lake City.
The SLCPD has worked with Utah’s Attorney General’s Office to crack down on auto theft. According to the press release, many of Salt Lake City’s repeat offenders have been incarcerated or are on parole.
Along with this, the department has found success using its license plate reading technology. This technology is used to identify stolen cars.
The SLCPD also attributed the drop in car theft and burglaries to the detectives assigned to the Auto Theft Unit.
Additionally, violent crime in Salt Lake City is down 11%, property crime is down 14% and overall crime is down nearly 13%, according to police.
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