Draper Police Launch Crime Prevention Initiative

By Chloe Bartlett

Draper - Police Chief Bryan Roberts spoke in an effort to promote awareness of residential crime during a press conference. This warning comes after the Draper Police Department reported 109 home break-ins and 239 vehicle break-ins in 2014 alone. Even more startling is the fact that in “76 percent of residential burglaries, the suspect did not use any force. The same is true in 60 percent of vehicle burglaries,” Chief Roberts said. 

To ensure that residents do not become victims of crime, the police department has urged homeowners to, first and foremost, make sure that garage doors are left closed when not in use.  While this is generally a good idea, data suggests that it especially important during the summer months when people tend to leave their garages open and unattended, leaving homes more susceptible to theft.

 Similarly, vehicles should always be locked and all valuable items should be removed to guarantee security, particularly during the holidays when criminals prey on present-filled cars. Draper’s trend in burglary comes as a shock to most residents, who all too often believe that the city is exempt from it. 

“I had no idea this was so common here. Luckily, I’m pretty good about keeping everything locked up, but I know that some people feel comfortable leaving things open,” resident Robert Davis said.

Police officers will be patrolling neighborhoods to look for potential signs of break-in, and will inform citizens on how to protect themselves in the future.  In the meantime, Draper residents are strongly encouraged to help prevent crime by being proactive and getting involved in Neighborhood Watch.