Lt. Steve Paulsen, of the Southwest Precinct, has reported that while December 2008 had relatively low crime statistics, in the month of January saw a spike in local crime including 147 car prowls.

The increase could be explained by warmer weather since December snow storms said Paulsen, though he does not believe that a declining economy has any impact on these incidents of theft.

Officers in the Southwest Precinct suspect that juveniles trading stolen property for drugs are the culprits, including Methamphetamine users from outside the city.

Most of the recent incidents have occurred one to two blocks off main arterioles in shopping districts.

Paulsen explained that GPS systems, more than car stereos, have become targets for car prowlers as well as laptop computers. He adds that many of the thiefs are selling the stolen property to pawn shops in White Center and Burien.

The Lieutenant urges community members to take their valuables, including GPS consoles, out of their cars when parking on the street.
There were also over 50 burglaries during January.