Thefts of and From Cars in Parking Facilities

• NCJ Number: 194584
• Author(s): Ronald V. Clarke
• Date Published: January 2002
• Length: 51 pages
• Grant Number(s): 99-CK-WX-K004
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Handbook
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Series No. 10

Annotation

This guide provides information for police officers on the problem of theft of and from cars in parking facilities.

Abstract

This guide is one of a series of guides designed to help police officers understand and confront various crimes or social problems in their communities. This issue summarizes information concerning the problem of thefts of and from cars in parking facilities. The author offers information about risk factors that contribute to this type of crime. Some of the risk factors listed include inadequate car security in parking lots, regional location of parking facility, car make and model, and parking facility size. The author also presents a number of questions that will help police officers understand the extent of this type of problem in their community. Finally, this guide evaluates current published literature on how to combat this type of theft in parking facilities. This literature offers several recommended responses, including the hiring of parking attendants and improving surveillance and lighting. The guide concludes with an appendix that summarizes these recommended responses to the problem of theft of and from cars in parking facilities.