Othello car theft education program pays off

OTHELLO - A public education program aimed at reducing car

thefts in Othello paid off.

Othello police Chief Chris Dunnagan told councilmembers the number

of stolen vehicles was reduced by 75 percent, from eight stolen

cars in 2009, to two stolen cars during the 2010 fourth

quarter.

OTHELLO - A public education program aimed at reducing car thefts in Othello paid off.

Othello police Chief Chris Dunnagan told councilmembers the number of stolen vehicles was reduced by 75 percent, from eight stolen cars in 2009, to two stolen cars during the 2010 fourth quarter.

After analyzing the car theft numbers from past years, Dunnagan said, the department realized close to 70 percent of car thefts occurred in residential neighborhoods south of Main Street and west of Seventh Avenue.

"Basically, south of Othello High School was where most of the car thefts were taking place," said Dunnagan.

He said officers gave out 25 warnings telling people they could not leave their car running on public streets.

According to state law, "no person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway."

A total of eight $124 tickets were issued to drivers who left a car running and unattended.

Advertisements, brochures and key chains were used as part of the department's car theft awareness program as well.

The police department received $250 from their insurance company and bought key chain souvenirs to hand out to people on the street.

The officers also hand delivered informational brochures to residents, said Dunnagan.

"(The officers) had a lot of fun doing it," he said.

"The system works and we are changing peoples' behaviors," said Dunnagan.

The police department has made efforts to reduce the number of stolen vehicles in Othello, stated Dunnagan.

The chief asked city council in late September to consider an ordinance that would allow Othello police to increase infraction tickets to $210 for drivers who leave cars running with keys in the ignition, whether parked on public or private property.

Councilmembers did not approve the proposal; suggesting instead, the police department engage in a public awareness program.

Dunnagan said the department may still pursue city council in the future about making it a violation to leave a car running and unattended on public-private property, as in a public parking lot.