Gilroyans have had 210 cars stolen this year, up 60 percent over the last five years in the city, something police attribute to the decrease of prison sentences for property crimes.
There were 125 cars stolen in the first three quarters of 2011 and the number has increased steadily, with 154 taken in the first three quarters of 2012; 175 in 2013; 174 in 2014; and 199 in 2015. The 210 stolen so far this year covers one less month than the others because the numbers for the whole quarter weren’t yet compiled.
“The interesting thing is you look at AB 109, which gave early releases to prisoners and lenient sentences for property crimes, and you see it coordinates with the increase,” said Gilroy Police Department Sgt. Jason Smith.
AB 109, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, dropped the overcrowded state prison population by 25,000 over two years. Nonviolent felons without prior serious or violent offenses were sent to county jail, rather than prison. In 2014, the state passed Proposition 47, which reduced sentences for thefts of property valued at less than $950, and cut sentences for drug use, which Smith suggested put more criminals on the street.
“You look at the numbers and there’s been an uptick since then,” he said. “I’m not saying that’s it, but I definitely think it contributes to the numbers.”
Gilroy Police say most of the cars aren’t hot-wired, but have keys in them or hidden on the outside of the car. Some have been left running to warm up in cold weather or cool in hot weather.
“Car thefts are crimes of opportunity,” Smith said. “People leave their keys in the door; they leave them running or have a spare key attached. Thieves know about those spare keys and can find them quickly.”
Most of the cars are older models, with less effective computer security systems. Hondas from the 1990s are the most popular. Thieves can use a key they know how to shave to fit those cars.
“It’s harder to steal a car without the key,” Smith said. “You have to know how to override a computer system.”
To make matters worse, Gilroy has the 17th highest car insurance rates in the state, according to a study by ValuePenguin.com.
The average yearly premium in Gilroy is $1,882, or 13 percent above the $1,661 average price in California. For comparison, San Joseans pay $1,393; Los Angelenos pay $1,624 and San Franciscans pay $1,783.
Some tips from GPD to keep your car safe:
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Know your license number. Have it written down or take a photo of it with your phone camera. Many people forget their license number and can’t get it to police right away to help them find the car.
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Don’t leave your car running unattended, day or night. Car thefts occur at all hours.
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Don’t leave windows cracked open and park in well-lighted areas at night.
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To avoid having items stolen from cars—which is becoming more common in shopping areas like the Outlets—don’t leave goods you’ve bought in plain sight. Thieves are canvassing the area, looking especially at rental cars, where tourists store stuff, breaking windows to make a quick steal and finding valuables such as passports.
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Install an alarm system.
