PCPD Asking For Community to Help Avoid Car Thefts

Since 2019, institutions such as the National Insurance Crime Bureau indicate that thefts of motor vehicles have risen a minimum of 25% across the country. Additionally, numbers across the United States indicate that burglaries of motor vehicles have risen up to 50%. We all work hard for our money and we all value our property. Sadly, not everyone in our community respects your rights to privacy and how important your property is to you. This is where the Ponca City Police Department needs your help.

The overwhelming majority of auto burglaries and vehicle thefts in Ponca City are a direct result of unlocked car doors. Hundreds of reports, interviews with suspects and statistical data have proven this accurate. The remedy for this seems simple, but we understand that mistakes happen and sometimes we all forget to click the buttons that conveniently lock our doors for us. We get it. We’re all tired at the end of the day, we get busy in the evenings and we often assume nothing will happen tonight. Unfortunately, it often does happen tonight for many citizens in our community.

So, with that being said, the Ponca City Police Department would like to challenge and encourage our community to assist us in taking a proactive approach to combating the theft of your property. Take two minutes every evening and ensure all of your car windows are up and your doors are locked. Remove valuable items such as firearms, purses, wallets and cash from your vehicles at night. Turn on your porch lights. Tell Alexa to remind you to lock your doors and set a reminder in your phones to help you remember. Look out for your neighbors and call us if you see something suspicious. We’re all in this together and we want you to enjoy the things you’ve worked hard for.