An Open Door to Crime in Irvine

By JAMES MEIER

April 12, 1999 12 AM PT

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Irvine is known as one of America’s safest cities, but police said this distinction might actually be helping thieves steal phones, briefcases, jewelry and other valuables from cars.

Investigators report that a large percentage of the city’s auto burglaries involve vehicles left unlocked by their owners, some of whom assume that their community’s low crime rate means they can let their guard down.

“We have a ton of them,” said Sgt. Rick Handfield. “I have no idea why people leave their cars unlocked. . . . You don’t want to make it easier for a criminal. You want to place as many obstacles as possible.”

Irvine isn’t alone. Neighboring communities known for their safe streets report a similar trend.

Newport Beach Sgt. Mike McDermott estimated that about 20% to 25% of the city’s auto burglaries or thefts stem from unlocked cars.

“I think a lot of times, it’s people who think it would be more expensive to fix a broken window than to lose the inexpensive items in their car,” McDermott said. “Also, many times, people who park in their driveway or in front of their house, thinking they’re safer, will leave their cars unlocked. Then there are those people who stop to take a look at the waves and think, ‘It’ll just take a minute.’ That’s all it takes.”

Often, the cars are left behind, but thieves help themselves to the items inside.

The situation frustrates police and prosecutors because a criminal who breaks into a locked car can face stiffer charges than someone who snatched items from an unlocked vehicle.

Burglaries involving unlocked cars are misdemeanors known as “thefts of opportunity.” The offense carries punishment of less than one year behind bars. In some cases, the penalties can be stricter if the burglar has an extensive criminal record, said Christine Simmons, an Orange County deputy district attorney.

By contrast, thefts involving a locked car are considered full-fledged burglaries that can be either misdemeanors or a felonies, depending on circumstances. For example, heftier penalties are imposed if the stolen items are worth more than $400.

“That [allows] us to be more aggressive in charging these criminals,” she said. “It makes it easier to file a felony on them, too.”

Police said they notice an increase in thefts from unlocked cars during the summer, especially around the beach. In many cases, the unlocked doors are far from an oversight.

“Surfers often leave their vehicles unlocked because they’d rather a thief open the door and steal 20 bucks than break the window to do so,” said Lt. Larry Jones of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“People with convertibles do it, too, so thieves don’t slice their tops--which can be very expensive to replace, many times in the thousands [of dollars],” Jones said.

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Thwarting Car Thieves

A car is stolen nationwide every 23 seconds, according to FBI statistics. With approximately one in every 150 registered motor vehicles stolen annually, the multibillion-dollar illicit car-theft industry in the U.S. continues to thrive despite recent declines. A look at how to protect your car from crooks:

* Car alarms chirp, honk and wail to ward off thieves

* Locking device on steering wheel deters thieves

* Transmitter hidden in car helps police locate, recover stolen vehicle.

* Tracking devices stop stolen car, tell thief police are on the way

* Security system disconnects fuel tank, cuts gas to engine

* Security system applies hydraulic power, locks brakes

* “Kill switch” hidden in vehicle must be activated before starting car

* Keyless entry prevents lock picking; first line of defense: lock the car

* Shatterproof glass prevents thieves from breaking window.

* Etching windows with vehicle ID number helps police track stolen vehicle

Manufacturers build cars requiring special key to start engine

Most Frequently Stolen Vehicles in California, 1997