Thieves checking for unlocked vehicles in September on Silver Hill Road in Derby.
DERBY — Auto thefts in Derby rose sharply in December, prompting Derby Police Chief Gerald Narowski this week to remind residents not to just lock their doors and clear out valuables — but to make sure they are not leaving their key fobs behind.
“People will lease a new car, or they will purchase a new car, and they get a packet from the dealership, and they put it in the glove compartment where it belongs — but they don’t remove the key fob, or the valet key. And that’s the first place the people (thieves) go,” Narowksi said during the Jan. 11 meeting of the Derby Police Commission.
According to crime stats from police, there were no auto thefts in Derby in December 2019 — but here were 12 thefts in December 2020.
The Valley Indy previously reported a massive increase in property crime in Derby. Click here to read the story.
The chief’s remarks at the meeting were prompted by Derby Police Commission Chairman Thomas Lenart, who noted that auto thefts aren’t just on the rise in Derby, the Valley, and the State of Connecticut.
It’s a national issue, Lenart said, pointing as proof to a Jan. 6. article in The New York Times titled “Here’s Why Car Thefts Are Soaring (Hint: Check Your Cup Holder).”
The article, which includes interviews with law enforcement leaders from across the U.S., states:
“After years of declines, car thefts appear to be surging in cities and suburbs all over the country. The spree, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic, does not appear to be the work of sophisticated crime rings, the police say. Instead, this new wave of car thefts seems to stem from a combination of simple carelessness and the same technological advancement that once made stealing cars nearly impossible: the key fob.”
Click here to read the full story.
“Don’t leave your key fob in the car, it is as simple as that,” Lenart said. “Key fobs were the answer to car thefts, and now they’re quickly becoming the cause of car thefts.”
The thefts prompted Narowski to post advice to the Derby Police Department’s Facebook page Jan. 11:
“DON’T BECOME A VICTIM.
Take your keys with you. The vast majority of stolen vehicles had keys left in them. This includes leaving you car running, leaving the keys in the ignition, or leaving a spare key or fob in the car.
Remove your valuables. Thieves are looking for targets of opportunity. They can’t take what is not left behind.
Lock your doors. In almost every instance thieves target unlocked cars as an easy target.
Click here to read the full Facebook post.
Narowksi also said that the thieves in Derby didn’t break windows or use advanced techniques to get into vehicles. The doors were unlocked, the chief said.
Derby residents are increasingly sharing crime reports with each other, whether it is through the Ring mobile app or a Facebook messenger ‘neighborhood watch’ group recently set up for west-side residents.
Narowski also said the Connecticut laws are too weak on juvenile offenders, saying teens are often the people stealing vehicles but face no punishment even if arrested.
State Rep. Jason Perillo said adjustments are needed in Hartford to combat the rise of property crimes. Shelton, the city he represents in the state legislature, has also seen an increase in property crimes such as car thefts, vehicle break-ins, and larcenies.
Perillo said House Republicans will push a proposal that will make it easier to transfer offenders from the juvenile court to the adult docket to face more serious consequences.
The Republican plan, according to Perillo, will also institute a provision for an automatic transfer to the adult docket for repeat offenders. The proposal also makes it easier for police to detain young adult offenders upon arrest.
A Shelton resident has set up a neighborhood watch group on Facebook. The Shelton Police Department also set up a specific Facebook crime prevention page.
Larcenies have also been an issue in Ansonia, as The Valley Indy previously reported.
In Seymour, First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis took to Facebook Tuesday to remind residents to secure their vehicles.
“Seymour, like many communities in the area, have seen an uptick in vehicle break ins and thefts. Please make sure you have locked your car doors and have removed all valuable items, as well as ensure your garage doors are shut. Do not leave your vehicle unattended at any time. Be aware of your surroundings. If you see something, contact the police department.”
