Metro News Release
For immediate release: December 7, 2007
Metro Transit Police holiday crime prevention tips offered
‘Tis the season to go shopping, but Metro Transit Police don’t want thieves to shop on your dime. Police are seeing more thefts from vehicles in the region, including Metro parking lots, over the last few months. Thefts from cars jumped about 45 percent to 47 in November compared to the previous year with most of the break-ins occurring in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland.
“Theft of electronic devices such as portable personal navigation devices or gps systems, satellite radios and cell phones are on the rise in this region and we are doing our part by investigating and arresting those who commit crime in Metro’s property,” said Commander David Webb of the Criminal Investigation Division.
Transit Police arrested two juveniles ages 12 and 15, and Michael Evans, 18, of Capitol Heights, Md. breaking into several vehicles at the Landover station on Wednesday, December 5. They face several charges, including attempting to steal vehicles and destruction of property. Transit Police are investigating whether the trio was involved in other break-ins during November.
More than 50,000 cars park at Metro parking lots daily. Transit Police have a department-wide Auto Theft Unit, which focuses on reducing parking lot crime auto theft crime.
The Auto Theft Unit includes officers in plain clothes, officers on motorcycles, K-9 teams, officers on bicycles, use of portable aerial towers, and Metro employees who are on workers compensation assignments that allow them to work for the Transit Police Department as Parking Lot Observers. The unit also monitors trends and shares information with regional law enforcement partners.
Police also recommend several things that Metro riders can do to protect themselves and to be less likely to become crime victims. They include:
Automobile Safety
Always use an anti-theft device when parked at either a Metrorail lot or other parking lot in the region.
Keep valuables out of sight, preferably locked in the trunk of the car or at home.
If you have to return to your car after dark, always try to park near the entrance to a rail station or under a light.
Never store your registration in the glove compartment of your car; if obtained, a criminal might use the information for an additional crime called identity theft, one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation.
Don’t forget to lock car doors and roll windows up all the way.
Personal Safety
If using an electronic device, such as a cell phone, portable music player, please use the device at a low to moderate decibel level.
If using a portable music player, use black headphones instead of white headphones to make them less noticeable and try to clutch the item inside a backpack, purse or jacket. Keep handbags and briefcases close to the body.
Men should void carrying their wallet in the pants pocket, and instead carry it inside a coat pocket.
Carry only the necessary amount of cash and credit cards.
If you are a victim of a pickpocket contact, the police and your bank immediately.
If you can, avoid traveling alone at night.
Stick to well-lit and well-traveled areas, when in the Metro system or on the street.
Always have keys ready as you approach your car.
Never display large sums of cash as you make a purchase at a fare vending machine to buy a fare card or somewhere else to make a purchase.
Make sure that children travel with a buddy, or if alone, ride near the bus operator in a bus or in the first rail car in a seat near where the train operator’s cab is located.
Always be alert of your surroundings and the people around you.
Don’t sleep while on the train or bus.
Avoid talking to strangers, especially in isolated areas.
If you notice unusual behavior, unattended packages or anything that seems suspicious, call the Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121 or tell a Metro employee.
Bicycle Safety
Make sure that you have appropriate bike locks for your bicycles.
If possible, rent a bike locker at Metro stations.
Register your bikes with the local police department to make it easier to recover if lost or stolen.
The Metro Transit Police Department has also produced an informational program that will air on DCTV throughout December and features tips on vehicle theft prevention. The program, “Vehicle Theft Prevention,” will air the following times:
Sunday, December 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 11 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 12 at 6 p.m.
Sunday, December 16 at 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 18 at 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 19 at 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 25 at 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 26 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, December 30 at 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 1 at noon
For more information, please visit www.MetroOpensDoors.com.
News release issued at 12:00 am, December 7, 2007.