Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 21, 2005

Urban Institute and Metro Transit Police partner to tackle auto theft

The Metro Transit Police Department and the Urban Institute (UI), a Washington-based non-partisan nonprofit research group, are teaming up on a two-year research project aimed at reducing car crimes in Metro parking facilities. The research is funded by a grant to UI from the National Institute of Justice of the U.S. Department of Justice.

UI researchers and the Metro Transit Police, are analyzing crimes in 50 of Metro’s parking facilities and noting their physical and environmental design to possibly identify areas of vulnerability for crime. From this information they will develop prevention strategies to reduce auto crimes.

"We have made great strides in reducing auto thefts on Metro properties in recent years, and we are always looking at doing more to safeguard Metro riders’ automobiles and personal property," MTPD Chief Polly Hanson said.

From January through September 2005, there were 114 reports of motor vehicle thefts in Metro parking lots and 58 attempted motor vehicle thefts, compared with 145 auto thefts and 72 attempts in the same period of 2004.On an average weekday, more than 50,000 vehicles park in Metro’s parking facilities.

Nancy La Vigne, UI senior research associate and the study’s principal investigator, said, "Our prior research has found that MTPD has kept overall crime on Metro relatively low, and we look forward to working with them to generate similar success in preventing car crimes."

MTPD has a dedicated Auto Theft Unit that focuses on reducing parking lot crime. Members of the team works varied hours and shifts and uses a variety of tactics, including plain clothes officers, officers on bicycles or motorcycles, and K-9 teams. The Auto Theft Unit also shares information with regional police departments.

News release issued on October 21, 2005.