News from the Kent Police Department

Click It or Ticket Patrols to be Increased through June 3

Washington State has a 98% compliance rate for seat belt use, but the state – and Kent PD – want to make it 100%. To reach that goal, area law enforcement is putting an extra emphasis on seat belt compliance through June 3. Watch for extra patrols during this time, and please buckle up every time. Additional patrols are being paid for by a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Kent PD Hosts Community Meeting May 30

The Kent Police Department is hosting its next Community Meeting at Panther Lake Elementary School (10200 SE 216th St.) from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Attend the meeting to meet Kent Police Chief Kent Thomas and Kent PD staff, learn about crime trends in the area, get an update on the police department, learn crime prevention tips and how to safeguard yourself and your family against crime. Q&A follows the police department’s presentation.

Kent Crime Trends

During the week of 5/15 – 5/21, 14 stolen vehicles were recovered in Kent. Most were mid-1990s model Honda Civics and Accords. After they’ve been stolen, the vehicles are usually left abandoned in parking lots or isolated streets where the thieves won’t be noticed. There were 9 commercial burglaries in Kent last week, including 5 in one night in the Kent Valley. Kent PD is working on leads from a video taken at one of the crime scenes.

To prevent crime, be aware of your surroundings. Get to know your neighbors and the vehicles they drive. If you see something suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1. See a damaged vehicle in a parking lot, or someone walking away suspiciously from a car they just parked? Call 9-1-1. Kent PD has recovered stolen vehicles by officers running license plates of unfamiliar cars in unfamiliar places.

Please remember to lock your windows and doors when not at home. Warm weather is a welcome opportunity for thieves and burglaries who have easy access to your home.

For more info. like this, visit Kent PD or Kent Crime Reports online.

In Kent PD’s crime stats for the week of 11/16 – 11/22/10, vehicle prowls and thefts are increasing. Along with the list of incidents, they also issue this warning to car owners:

“Vehicle Prowl Prevention – There is a recent trend of vehicle prowls of cars that are parked in driveways. The suspects then use the garage door openers that are in the cars and use those to gain access to the garage and sometimes the home. Items have been stolen from the garages, as well as cars that are parked inside the garage. If you can, park in the garage. If not, EVERY TIME, remove the garage door opener and valuables from cars parked outside.”

Other safety tips:

• Do not leave a running car unattended, even if it is locked.
• Stay with your car while it is warming up.
• Do not leave any valuables of any kind in your vehicle.
• Always keep your car locked.
• Report any suspicious activity to 9-1-1.
  • Unfamiliar people wandering through neighborhoods or around schools
  • Door to door “salesmen”
  • Looking in house or car windows
  • Walking around to the back of the house
  • Peeking into vehicles
  • Parked or occupied unfamiliar vehicles.
• Report any vehicle vandalism to 9-1-1.

Protect your vehicle, valuables and home by being aware of your surroundings and reporting suspicious activity.

Thanks to Sara Wood and Kent PD for providing this information.

There has been a steady trend of vehicle prowls and thefts in Kent as of late. Many of these thefts involved vehicles used by businesses. Remember, if you operate vans, trucks, or cars as part of your business, it is just as important to secure these vehicles as it is your personal vehicle.

The City of Kent crime stats for the week of Oct. 19th through Oct. 25th had 13 vehicle prowls – 7 in the Valley, 3 in the Panther Lake area, 3 in the East Hill area. During that week there were also 25 vehicle thefts – 4 on the West Hill (park and rides especially!), 10 in the Valley, 2 in the Panther Lake area, 9 in the East Hill area.

The best advice that can be given regarding this subject is to always, always, always remove all your valuables every time you park or else you and your car may end up being another crime statistic.

From Sara Wood, public education specialist from the City of Kent Police Department:

• Last week’s crime stats
• Sex Offender Level III Notice
• Landlord/Property Management Training in Federal Way – May 12
• Hondas:  popular targets for vehicle theft - We are still seeing a steady trend of Hondas being targeted for vehicle thefts. If you haven’t already, consider purchasing The Club, an steering wheel locking device. They can be purchased through Kent PD for $15.00.

Thank you for being partners in crime prevention!