Worcester Car Break-ins: Top 20 Locations

Friday, March 23, 2012

Jaclyn Cashman, GoLocalWorcester News Editor

In 2011 there were 1,690 car break-ins throughout the city of Worcester. Through a records requests, GoLocalWorcester obtained the list of the top twenty locations where cars have been broken into.

The GreenDale Mall on Neponset Street saw the most incidents with 16 car break-ins last year. Thieves tend to prey on shoppers while they enjoy some retail therapy.

Allen Smith, Greendale Mall Manager, said, “At Greendale Mall, the safety and security of our shoppers, retail tenants and employees is our top priority. Mall management and our security teams maintain a close working relationship with local law enforcement authorities to ensure that the appropriate security measures are being taken to help provide and maintain a safe environment at the mall, including in our parking lots. We are in full cooperation with the Worcester Police Department on this matter.”    

Other hot spots for car thieves were the YMCA on Shore Drive, Hampton Inn on Summer Street and Royal Worcester Apartments on Grand Street.

Chief Gary Gemme told GoLocalWorcester that the locations of theft most often occur in entertainment areas including bars, restaurants, and movie theaters. Gemme said other locations include large parking lots and apartment complexes. Gemme said a number of these incidents also occur late at night or early morning.

However, Gemme points out residential areas are not immune to this type of crime either, "We have also seen residential neighborhoods victimized by a random series of thefts from motor vehicles. In some cases these breaks are traced to young people with neighborhood ties."

Crime of Opportunity

Car theft is considered a crime of opportunity. There are plenty of campaigns reminding drivers that it only takes thirty seconds for a thieve to break into your car, but it takes only twenty seconds to hide your valuable belongings.

Gemme said the department places a high priority on quality of life and neighborhood concerns. When crimes such as breaks into motor vehicles occur, a negative public perception is created. He said keeping the city safe requires both the police and the community to be vigilant.

Deterring Thieves From Breaking Into Your Vehicle

You can take certain measures to prevent someone from burglarizing your vehicle. While the more obvious things are installing an alarm system, keeping the doors locked, hiding valuables and closing the windows. You should also take specific preventive steps like making sure your GPS holder isn’t on the dashboard or wiping off the suction mark from the GPS device on your window.

Chief Gemme said “While these steps seem obvious a high number of victims fail to follow these safety steps and have been victimized for their oversight."

What you car insurance won’t cover

Walter Shea, Vice President of O'Brien & Gibbons Insurance Agency, said, “Anything that is apart of the car is covered, but anything that is loose is not covered like your purse, GPS system, or lap top. You can buy additional insurance for those types of items. Or they might be covered under your homeowner's insurance policy." But that normally requires a hefty deductible fee.