Car Prowls Around Elementary school

Several neighbors living around Laurelhurst Elementary School reported car prowls last week.

One happened on Thursday, January 21, on the west side of the school around 4am.  The car was locked and there was no attempt at breaking in to the car. 

Another neighbor reported one on Tuesday, January 26 at 3:45am in the same general area. The neighbor said: 

I just want to give our neighbors heads up that our car was either unlocked by someone or we left it unlocked (again). We have cameras so we have the individual on camera and can see his face. We only have kids things in the car so I don't think he actually took anything. Lock your doors!. Oh I wasn’t aware of the blog - thanks for sending. We live across from the elementary school.

Other reported car prowls:

• week of 1/18: 2 cars on NE 42nd Street,
• 1/24 4700 block of 46th Avenue NE
• 1/25 auto theft 4700 block of 46th Avenue NE

The SPD website says about car thefts:

You are more likely to be a victim of a vehicle crime than any other crime reported to the Seattle Police Department. An experienced Car Prowler or Thief can gain access to your car in virtually seconds. 

In less than 30 seconds, someone could break into a parked car. Most car prowls themselves take less than two minutes. The damage done to locks and windows can be very expensive to repair and cause great inconvenience.  a car prowl can take less than a minute and can cause thousands of dollars in damage.

Here are SPD's car prowl prevention tips:  

• Don't leave any items in plain view in your vehicle. Even in a secure garage.
• Take all valuables with you when you park.
• Remove or hide anything that a car prowler might mistake as something worth stealing.
• If valuables must be left behind, hide them out of sight several blocks away before parking.
• Disable internal trunk releases per your owner's instruction manual.
• Audible alarms or other theft deterrent devices can be effective.
• When you exit or enter your parked vehicle, stop and take a look around the area.
• Before leaving your parked car, always remove the keys, roll up the windows and lock the car.
• Make a habit of locking your garage door and car doors.
• If possible, store your car in a closed and locked garage.
• If your car is stored in a carport or parked near your house, leave your exterior lights on throughout the night.
• If you park on the street, choose a well-lit, open space even if it means adding additional street/yard lighting & trimming back trees/bushes that block your view of your vehicle.
• If you park your car in a dark or isolated area, consider the City Light Area Lighting Program, which permits additional light fixtures to be placed on existing poles. The cost is less than $5 per month per light. Call (206) 684-3000 for more information.
• Consider replacing the light fixture closest to your car with a motion detector unit. Motion detectors are a good psychological deterrents since the normal assumption of a person seeing a light come on is that someone has seen them. Additionally, the light makes the prowler or thief more visible.

SPD says that if your car is broken into file a report by calling the non-emergency number at 206-625-5011, or file one online.

Car Theft Prevention Tips

There has been a rise in car thefts in the neighborhood. In August, 9 car thefts were reported in Laurelhurst. 

The Laurelhurst Blog contacted Seattle Police Department (SPD) about the high number.

Captain Brian Stampfl, new North Precinct Captain (previously at the West Precinct), replacing Captain Sano (moved to East Precinct) provided some information: 

Vehicle thefts have been on the rise throughout the city. I have reviewed the Auto Theft stats and noted that while some areas of North Seattle have more reported incidents than others, there have not been consistent patterns. 

Yes, nine thefts in a single neighborhood is a pattern, but North Seattle has seen a spattering of thefts throughout. That being said, the incidents you have listed appear to be accurate.

 

How we are addressing these thefts:

 

Since my arrival to the North Precinct, SPD as a whole has been undergoing some significant changes, many of which have forced SPD to reconsider how we approach complex and frequent crimes such as auto theft. 

In this particular case, I will be including my Operations Lieutenant in this response so that the information you’ve provided can be further reviewed. 

The locations you’ve listed, and others within Laurelhurst that have occurred since your email will be shared with our district officers. This may include more than one watch due to the varying times of the thefts. 

The officers are being asked not only to provide extra patrol to these areas, but to identify patterns, such as the one you have listed in order to assist all of us in preventing these thefts.

In addition to SPD’s own efforts, we are fortunate to have a Seattle University Masters student who will be working within the North Precinct to identify crime trends. I have already spoken to Katelyn about the rise in auto thefts and our need to address them.  She will be assisting us in interpreting the crime data and developing plans to address the crime trends. 

Regarding your specific question regarding how the vehicles were stolen, I don’t have that information available as I write this, but this will be an important factor for Katelyn as she completes her analysis.   

The SPD website says about car thefts:

You are more likely to be a victim of a vehicle crime than any other crime reported to the Seattle Police Department. An experienced Car Prowler or Thief can gain access to your car in virtually seconds. 

In less than 30 seconds, someone could break into a parked car. Most car prowls themselves take less than two minutes. The damage done to locks and windows can be very expensive to repair and cause great inconvenience.  a car prowl can take less than a minute and can cause thousands of dollars in damage.

Here are SPD's car prowl prevention tips:  

• Don't leave any items in plain view in your vehicle. Even in a secure garage.
• Take all valuables with you when you park.
• Remove or hide anything that a car prowler might mistake as something worth stealing.
• If valuables must be left behind, hide them out of sight several blocks away before parking.
• Disable internal trunk releases per your owner's instruction manual.
• Audible alarms or other theft deterrent devices can be effective.
• When you exit or enter your parked vehicle, stop and take a look around the area.
• Before leaving your parked car, always remove the keys, roll up the windows and lock the car.
• Make a habit of locking your garage door and car doors.
• If possible, store your car in a closed and locked garage.
• If your car is stored in a carport or parked near your house, leave your exterior lights on throughout the night.
• If you park on the street, choose a well-lit, open space even if it means adding additional street/yard lighting & trimming back trees/bushes that block your view of your vehicle.
• If you park your car in a dark or isolated area, consider the City Light Area Lighting Program, which permits additional light fixtures to be placed on existing poles. The cost is less than $5 per month per light. Call (206) 684-3000 for more information.
• Consider replacing the light fixture closest to your car with a motion detector unit. Motion detectors are a good psychological deterrents since the normal assumption of a person seeing a light come on is that someone has seen them. Additionally, the light makes the prowler or thief more visible.

SPD says that if your car is broken into file a report by calling the non-emergency number at 206-625-5011, or file one online.

Items Found On Boulevard, Possibly From Car Prowl

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information from a neighbor:

I found what looks like the unwanted remains of a car prowl on Friday morning, 10/4.  

The items are: one pair gray gym shoes, miscellaneous small shampoo bottles, swim goggles, a lock, an OSU stocking cap, one pair black ankle sox, and a yellow tape measure.  

The ittems were found on the parking strip near the SW corner of intersection 43rd Avenue NE and NE 41st Street.

Please contact laurelhurstblogger@gmail.com for more information.

Car Prowl

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

On Sunday evening, February 24th, our car was broken into while parked on the street in the 4000 block of 48th Ave NE.  

The car was locked but somehow the door was opened and left ajar. The interior was rifled through and miscellaneous items were strewn about. There were no valuables in car at the time.

Car Prowl In Alley of NE 43rd And 44th Street

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

Last Sunday night, February 10th, my truck was broken into on the alley of 43rd Avenue NE and NE 44th Street.  

They broke the passenger side rear window and stole a tote bag full of yellow tow straps that I keep in there for emergency usage and also a small emergency air compressor.  

It looks like they never opened the doors, so it was a smash and grab of items on the rear floor. The windows had dark tint so I doubt they could see much but they obviously saw shapes and decided to go for it.  

I guess this is another lesson to never leave anything visible in your car. 

Recent Car Prowls

A neighbor reported an attempted car prowl this morning about 5am. 

The neighbor told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff that their Ring Motion Light caught the man in the above photo checking the doors of their car which was parked on 46th Avenue NE at NE 39th Street. The car was locked so nothing was taken. Here is the Ring video.

Another car just a block away was reportedly broken into, as well today. The car was parked in a locked and detached garage. Several miscellaneous items were taken, including some cash.

Here are SPD's car prowl prevention tips:  

• Don't leave any items in plain view in your vehicle. Even in a secure garage.
• Take all valuables with you when you park.
• Remove or hide anything that a car prowler might mistake as something worth stealing.
• If valuables must be left behind, hide them out of sight several blocks away before parking.
• Disable internal trunk releases per your owner's instruction manual.
• Audible alarms or other theft deterrent devices can be effective.
• When you exit or enter your parked vehicle, stop and take a look around the area.
• Before leaving your parked car, always remove the keys, roll up the windows and lock the car.
• Make a habit of locking your garage door and car doors.
• If possible, store your car in a closed and locked garage.
• If your car is stored in a carport or parked near your house, leave your exterior lights on throughout the night.
• If you park on the street, choose a well-lit, open space even if it means adding additional street/yard lighting & trimming back trees/bushes that block your view of your vehicle.
• If you park your car in a dark or isolated area, consider the City Light Area Lighting Program, which permits additional light fixtures to be placed on existing poles. The cost is less than $5 per month per light. Call (206) 684-3000 for more information.
• Consider replacing the light fixture closest to your car with a motion detector unit. Motion detectors are a good psychological deterrents since the normal assumption of a person seeing a light come on is that someone has seen them. Additionally, the light makes the prowler or thief more visible.

SPD says that if your car is broken into, file a report by calling the non-emergency number at 206-625-5011or online.

More Car Prowls Reported And SPD Prevention Tips

More car prowls have been reported.  

A car prowl was reported the week of April 4th on 38th Avenue NE, right off of NE Surber Drive.  A neighbor said it was the fifth time her car was broken into and some sort of special took was used to get into the car.  The prowlers trashed the inside of the car but didn't find anything of value.

Another car prowl was reported in the same area. The prowler sat inside the car for about five minutes and rifled around inside and left a door open, without taking anything.

On the week-end of April 28th, a locked car was broken into, by smashing the front passenger window  at the Laurelhurst Community Center, during the day. Nothing was stolen. 

Seattle Police offers these simple ways to lower the chance of having your car broken into:

• Remove all your valuables.
• Put your gym bag in the trunk. A bad guy just sees a bag to steal.
• Before leaving your parked car, always remove the keys, roll up the windows and lock the car.
• If your car is stored in a carport or parked near your house, leave your exterior lights on throughout the night.
• If you park your car in a dark or isolated area, consider the City Light Area Lighting Program, which permits additional light fixtures to be placed on existing poles. The cost is less than $5 per month per light. Call (206) 684-3000 for more information.
• Finally, if you find yourself the victim of a car prowl either call police or report it online.   Without a report we can't track crime and direct patrols into the area to stop emerging crime trends.

If your car is broken into:

• File a report by calling the non-emergency number at 206-625-5011, or file one online at: www.seattle.gov/police/report/default.htm
• When filing a report on-line or over the phone you do not need to remain at the scene.  If you choose to call the non-emergency line, simply ask to report a crime and, if it meets the criteria, the call-taker will forward you to an officer who will take your report over the phone.  The officer will still provide you with a case number.
• If the crime is still in progress or it is an emergency situation, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Go here for more information.

Car Prowls

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information about recent car prowls:

We live on the 3800 block of 46th Avenue NE and in the past two weeks we have had two cars burgled that were certainly locked. There were no signs of forced entry, but this time they brazenly left doors and the rear hatch wide open. I am told they may be using a scanner that sends a barrage of codes at electronic locks and sometimes gets it right.  

We live on the 4800 block of NE 41st Street and our car was burgled sometime between 4pm April  and 3pm on April 4th.  There was no forced entry, even though I am certain that I locked the door.  The door was left ajar with the driver's seat pushed all the way back and the console open and obviously rifled through.  Nothing was stolen as I never leave anything in my car.

Car Prowl On 3800 Block OF 46th Avenue NE

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

One of our cars parked outside our home on the 3800 block of 46th Ave NE was rifled through at some point from the night of Friday March 9th (after 5:50pm) to Sunday March 11th (at 1:30pm).  

The prowler(s) took coins (quarters to the value of about $5.00) and 2 fruit bars. The contents of our dashboard, glove compartment, console (between the driver and front passenger seats), and compartments on both the front car doors were left strewn across the front seats of the car.  

No windows were broken and there is no evidence of forced entry or of an attempt to steal the car itself.  The car was locked at the time of the prowl. After the prowl, the car was left unlocked.

Car Prowl On Surber Drive

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

Here is a video of car prowl in our driveway on the south west corner of NE 38th Street and 45 Ave NE between 12:02 and 12:06 am on Monday February 19, while we were on vacation.  

It looks like the thief used an electronic device to open the door. The thief stole some gift cards from the glove box.

Car Prowls West Of Park

Several cars prowls were reported in the neighborhood early Monday morning, in the 4400 block of NE 41st Street near Laurelhurst Park and another in the vicinity of West Laurelhurst Drive. 

A neighbor told the Laurelhurst Blog:

Both of our cars were rifled through prior to 5:30am on Monday on NE 41st Street. They didn’t get much - pocket knives, hat, spare change, sunglasses.  

They did take my neighbors car and it was all the same night of the Ravenna/Bryant jacking which ended up in a death.

It has been reported that the stolen car was recovered downtown.

Recent Car Prowls

Several cars prowls were reported on the evening of January 31st. 

One neighbor reported:

My car, which was parked on the 4300 block of 53rd Avenue NE, was rummaged through but nothing was taken. Everything was removed from the glove compartment and laid out on the seat as if the offenders were making a statement.

Another car prowl was reported on the 3500 block of NE 42nd Street to an unlocked car parked in a driveway. Areas of the car were searched through and left in disarray, with nothing valuable stolen.

Have You Seen Stolen Garage Door Openers?

The Laurelhurst Blog received these separate reports of stolen garage door openers:

We live on NE 41st Street and our garage door opener was stolen from our car sometime on the night or early morning of July 15th.  We reported it, and changed the programming on our door.  A reminder to remain vigilant about locking your doors.

Ours garage door opener was stolen on the night of July 15th out of our car on the 3000 block of East Laurelhurst Drive.  

My car was rummaged through and I am missing my garage door opener. I live on the 4100 block of 42nd Avenue NE.

Please email laurelhurstblogger@gmail.com if you have information.

.

Car Prowl On East Laurelhurst Drive

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information:

We live on East Laurelhurst Drive NE near Webster Point.  It appears I left my car unlocked on Friday night, July 14.  

The glove box and center console were rummaged through and my spare change was taken.  Otherwise things were just scattered around the front seat and the floor.  

Two other unlocked cars of nearby neighbors were also prowled. One car was parked in a neighbor's driveway.

Car Prowls And Break-Ins And Seattle Police Prevention Tips

Car prowls are more frequent with the warmer weather and the Laurelhurst Blog has received reports of many.
 
On June 4th, there were reportedly several in the area between NE 45th Street and Sandpoint Way. Included was one car parked near St. Stephens Church which was
prowled twice in two weeks.  Nothing of value was left in the car, and only change was stolen.

Several weeks later cars parked in the 4000 block of NE 38th and also in the 3800 block NE 41st were prowled. One neighbor, whose car was broken into suggested to never leave anything of value in your, and especially not leaving anything in plain sight. He said that a neighbor left a few dollars in change in the car that was visible and that was all it took to break into the car. 

Another car break-in was reported in the 3900 block of 47th Avenue NE and it was reported that the thieves rolled down the windows and opened the sunroof.  And in the 4800 block of NE 43rd Street, several car prowls were reported, one where windshield wipers were removed from a car, another where a car break-in was attempted, but the male ran off when a garage door opened. 

Other car prowls have been reported in the 3700 block of NE 42nd Street where two cars had broken windows, and another car was prowled on NE Surber Drive and 41st Avenue NE, and also at 42nd Avenue near Children's Hospital
The Seattle Police say that car prowls are crimes of opportunity that happen within seconds. Thieves are targeting all types of vehicles looking for recently purchased gifts, GPS devices, cell phones, purses, cash, laptops, cameras, luggage, and garage remotes.

 

SPD recommends that if your car is broken into, file a report by calling the non-emergency number at 206-625-5011, or file one online.  When filing a report on-line or over the phone you don't need to remain at the scene.  When calling the non-emergency line, state that are reporting a crime and, if it meets the criteria, the call-taker will forward the call to an officer who will take the report over the phone and provide a case number. If the crime is still in progress or it is an emergency situation, call 9-1-1 immediately

 

SPD offer these tips to protect your car from thieves and vandals:

• Lock your car and take your keys.
• Never hide a second set of keys in your car.
• Park off-street if possible.
• Park in well lighted areas.
• Completely close all car windows when parked.
• Don’t leave valuables in plain view and better, don’t leave anything in car.
• Remove all valuables from your vehicle every time you park. 
• Don't leave cords and charging devices in plain view, a prowler may see these and take the chance that you have a valuable electric inside and enter your car.
• If valuables must be left behind, hide them out of sight or place them in the trunk before parking at your destination.
• Disable internal trunk released per your owner’s manual instructions.
• Remote controls for garages should never be left inside parked vehicles.  Take the remote with you if possible.
• Some thieves will break in just for some loose change or a pack of cigarettes.
• If you must leave something of value in your car, put it in the trunk well before you park.  Some thieves watch for people putting items into the trunk and then break into the trunk.
• Do not cover your iPad with a sweatshirt or jacket and leave it on the front seat. 
• Do not leave backpacks, shopping bags, computer bags or anything that might contain a valuable item in plain sight.  Thieves will break your window just to see if it is worth taking.

 

Seattle Police Department Car Prowl Tips

The Laurelhurst Blog regularly received reports of car break-ins and car prowls and reports them on the Blog.

Seattle Police Department reported that to date there have been almost 3000 car prowls in Seattle this year, which is up by more than 500 from last year.   

Seattle Police offers these simple ways to lower the chance of having your car broken into:

• Remove all your valuables.
• Put your gym bag in the trunk. A bad guy just sees a bag to steal.
• Before leaving your parked car, always remove the keys, roll up the windows and lock the car.
• If your car is stored in a carport or parked near your house, leave your exterior lights on throughout the night.
• If you park your car in a dark or isolated area, consider the City Light Area Lighting Program, which permits additional light fixtures to be placed on existing poles. The cost is less than $5 per month per light. Call (206) 684-3000 for more information.
• Finally, if you find yourself the victim of a car prowl either call police or report it online.   Without a report we can't track crime and direct patrols into the area to stop emerging crime trends.
  

Videos Of Car Prowlers In Separate Incidents

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information of two separate incidents in the neighborhood:

Here is a recent video of a car prowler on the 4800 block of NE 43rd Street.  The man enters into the video twice at the beginning and is in our car about 7 minutes before getting out at the nine minute mark on the video.   He then used the cars garage door opener to open the garage door, which set off the house alarm, scaring him off. He ends up fleeing as our garage door opened and startled him, apparently.  It is really hard to clearly get a good picture of the individual.  Make sure to watch it till the end where he runs away.  

Here is a video of a car break in front of my house  on the 4100 block of Surber Drive this summer. Perhaps someone will recognize this young person.  All the items taken from the car were tossed into a neighbor’s yard and recovered.  He did not enter the garage since the house alarm was sounding.  He knew my camera was on and thought he was out of range when he walks over to the car.  Be patient as it takes a minute for the prowler to appear on screen.  The car was unlocked. Thankfully the alarm horn was directly above the car and sent him running when it went off.

Many Car Prowls Reported Last Week

The Laurelhurst Blog received information of multiple car prowls on October 15 and 17, many in the same area of the neighborhood.

Here is information from neighbors:

On 10/15, a car on NE 44th Street was broken into. The prowlers smashed the driver's side window and grabbed many items. It seems this area is a frequent location for ProRobics gym members to park.

On 10/15 around 6:30am, we awoke to our car alarm going off in the 4300 block of 54th Avenue NE.  The prowlers smashed the back passenger-side window but didn't get anything though. An SUV drove off quickly  northbound when we looked out. We called the Police who  took a report. Security patrol did not respond. Obviously storing stuff in cars is not ideal. And alarmed and locked cars aren't enough security. We are installing security cameras at our home and facing the street.  If anyone has security camera pics of an SUV driving north of our house on 54th Ave NE at 6:40am, please  notify  North Precinct Patrol, Officer Jason Anderson (8329), 206-684-0850, Incident# 16-373406.

On 10/15 on the 4700 block of 48th Avenue NE about 5 cars were prowled on my block and around the corner were broken into at night. The door of my car was open when I went out in the morning.  Everything had been rifled through. The thieves may have been startled as they left a Bluetooth speaker behind and many iPhone/iPod cords. I have reported this information to the police.  I'm assuming I forgot to lock my car since it doesn't appear to have been broken into.  Seems any time I forget to lock my car it gets rifled through. It has happened at least 5 times since we moved here 6 years ago. 

Our car was broken into on 10/15 on the 4700 block of 48th Avenue NE, and all the contents were all over the car. They left behind a cigarette lighter, as someone also commented was left in their car.  

On 10/17, my car was prowled on NE 42nd Street near Laurelhurst Park.  The glove box, center console and all compartments were rifled through and they took my sunglasses.  We intentionally leave nothing of significant value in the car.  I may have forgotten to lock our car . Lock your doors daily and don't leave valuables in your car. 

My car was rifled on 10/17 on NE 43rd just east of Laurelhurst Park. Nothing was taken, but left a mess in the car.  We don't leave anything of value, especially garage openers, as we have been hit before.   

My car was prowled last night, 10/17 . I always lock the door and never leave valuables. They didn't take anything.  

We live on NE 54th and 48th Avenue NE and on 10/17 someone also went through our glove compartment and left our things all over our seats. It doesn't appear as if anything was taken.  

Our car was broken into sometime during the night of October 17th on the 4200 block of 50th Avenue NE. The doors were absolutely locked and it was parked under a street light in front of our house.  We did not hear any alarm.  There was nothing of any value in our car and I don’t think anything was taken although all the compartments were rifled through. We reported the incident to the police.

More Recent Car Break-Ins And Prowlers Try To Use Garage Door Opener To Access Home

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information from neighbors:

On 10/8, sometime after midnight someone broke into our car on NE 43rd Street at 37th Avenue NE. Nothing was taken, but all our paperwork, car registration, etc. was all strewn about. The most concerning part is that the garage door opener was in our car.  Be sure to always lock your car, even when parked in your driveway. 

Our car was broken into on Friday night. This car prowl thing is getting obnoxious.  

Our car on NE 41st Street was broken into.  I think it's really unfortunate that the patrol isn't working and would love to have it improved. 

On Friday evening, 10/7 a prowler went through my unlocked car, parked in an ally between 42nd and 43rd Avenues NE, removing everything from the glove compartment and center console are and leaving all my papers nicely in a stack on the passenger seat. The prowler, unfortunately, stole my garage door opener off the car visor and tried to open my garage door down, which also serves as a remote for activating all the lights  inside my house. We were awakened by the lights going on and off inside the house and attempts made to open the garage door. The following day I found the remote light switch in a nearby neighbor’s yard. 

We live on 38th Avenue NE and my husbands car has been broken into for the fourth time. The most recent time was on Monday, 10/10, between midnight and 2am.  This time they took tools and a little bag that had lose change.  

On Monday, 10/10, we found a yoga block in our driveway on NE 43rd Street near 37th Avenue NE. One of our cars I left unlocked evidently. My guess is they dropped the yoga block taken from another car.  The yoga block has since been claimed by a neighbor.  They took the cables to charge our cell phones, seem to have looked at a tool to break the window in an emergency but didn't use it on our other car. 

Unfortunately, it seems our neighborhood is a target for this activity. We have motion detector lights and live on a busier neighborhood street, yet my car was rifled through as well when I … View more accidentally left it unlocked overnight. Obviously, remembering to lock our cars is key.  But, we also have a private security patrol in our neighborhood that is seemingly doing nothing to help. Can we work with them to step up patrols? I wrote to the person that Laurelhurst Community Club Board Member who manages the Patrol, asking how we can help improve it and did not receive a positive response.  Basically he said that he helped provide pictures of recent burglars to the police and that was it. Seems like a major waste of time/money/resources that so many people are paying for with the expectation that it is protecting us when in reality it's not.  

Our locked car has been broken into twice in the last few months. Where is the security patrol that we are paying for? Why aren't they reacting to car prowl calls? Instead, it seems they mostly "remove people from the park" or "secure window" as is documented in some of the Blog's crime reports. Isn't there a way for the Patrol to be more effective and provide more value in our neighborhood?

Multiple Car Prowls Reported

The Laurelhurst Blog received this information of car prowl incidents from neighbors:

We live in the 4400 block of 54th Avenue NE and sometime between 11pm on  Saturday, 9/1 and 9an 9/2 on Sunday morning, 9/2, someone rifled through my car that was parked in front of our house.  I awoke to find the contents of the car scattered throughout the inside of the my car.  I am certain the car was locked, but there was no apparent damage or sign of access, so not sure how they got into the car.  I don't believe there was anything of value in the car, aside from a bit of pocket change, that they took.  A bit later in the afternoon, I was walking the dog, and spoke with another neighbor who also had their car ransacked overnight.  I certainly wish our Mayor and City Council would focus more attention on criminal activities in our neighborhoods.  More neighborhood police patrols would certainly be welcomed to deter these ever increasing property crimes.

I live on the 4200 block of 51st Avenue NE and on 10 /1, prowlers opened my locked car between 9pm and 5am and petty personal items were removed. Thanks to the efforts of the Laurelhurst Blog, we have kept our vehicles free of valuables over the past two years. Any neighbors with street side cameras on this block might be lucky enough to grab footage of prowlers.  That's all the information I have at this time. Any advice or help would be appreciated.

We heard that our neighbor in the 3900 block of 50th Avenue NE had two of their SUVs rifled through on Saturday evening. The inside of the car was rifled through and a few small items were taken.