SLCPD provides consultation during seasonal increases in car thefts

SALT LAKE CITY – Salt Lake City police officers warned the community Monday about seasonal spikes in car thefts.

According to a statement from the Salt Lake City Police Department, police have received 874 reports of car thefts this year. Although this represents a 23% decrease in thefts compared to 2023, police warned that car thefts typically increase in the winter months.

With shorter days and colder nights, it’s common for people to leave their cars running unattended, whether to de-ice windows or warm up engines.

According to a news release, SLCPD spent 60 minutes Monday patrolling areas considered “hotspots” for car thefts while also educating community members and searching for at-risk vehicles. Police said they found 95 unattended cars and recovered five stolen vehicles during the operation.

Following this operation, SLCPD offered some advice to help keep car thefts at bay.

SLCPD’s Auto Theft Prevention Tips:

• Never leave your car running and unattended.
• Never leave your keys in the car.
• Use anti-theft devices such as wheel locks, car alarms, GPS tracking or electronic immobilizers.
• Make sure your windows and doors are locked.