PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

December 16, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slc.gov

Media Request Form:  https://police.slc.gov/mediarequest/

SLCPD Conducts Educational Operation to Warn About Car Thefts

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, detectives, officers, and specialists with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s (SLCPD) Auto Theft Unit, Liberty Patrol Division Bike Squad and the SLCPD’s Police Community Response Team (PCRT) conducted an educational operation to warn community members about car thefts.

The overall goal of the operation was to educate community members about the risks associated with leaving cars running and unattended, particularly during the early morning and winter months.

Since January 1, 2024, the Salt Lake City Police Department has taken 874 reports of car theft, a 23% decrease from 2023. However, each year SLCPD sees an increase in stolen cars occurring during winter months because community members leave their cars running unoccupied to warm up and/or defrost windows.

During today’s 60-minute operation, the SLCPD conducted patrols throughout the Pioneer Patrol Division in areas identified as hotspots for car thefts. Officers, detectives, and specialists spoke with community members about leaving their cars running and unattended and car theft.

Officers found 95 cars running unattended and recovered five stolen cars.

You can prevent your vehicle from getting stolen by following these tips:

●       Never leave your car running and unattended.

●       Never leave your keys in the car.

●       Use anti-theft devices such as wheel lock, car alarm, GPS tracking or electronic immobilizer.

●       Make sure your windows and doors are locked.

Several photos taken at the scene are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Photo: A Salt Lake City police officer speaks with a community member about the risks associated with leaving a car running and unattended (SLCPD photo – December 16, 2024).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police sergeant processes a recovered stolen vehicle found during a law enforcement operation in the Pioneer Patrol Division(SLCPD photo – December 16, 2024).

Photo: A Salt Lake City police officer and Police Community Response Team  specialist educate a community member about risk associated with leaving a car running and unattended (SLCPD photo – December 16, 2024).

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