NBC29C'ville Police Say Hide Your Valuables

C'ville Police Say Hide Your Valuables

Charlottesville police say you need to lock up your car and hide your valuables. The city's police chief says the crime numbers show a big jump in car break-ins compared to last year.

These numbers are for the first half of the year. Police say violent crimes such as murders, rapes and robberies are down 11 percent. But property crimes, specifically car break-ins are up more than 40 percent in Charlottesville.

Police say thieves are making off with iPods, computers and anything else in sight. "It's an attractive crime obviously for a thief because it's a very target rich environment in commercial areas, particularly around the university as well and frankly people aren't as conscientious as they should be about the items they leave in their car," said Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo. 

Longo says his officers are stepping up patrols in problematic areas. He also admits that it's difficult to investigate these types of crimes.

The chief says education is another tool to lower the rate. Starting in September, when University of Virginia students return, they'll start an education campaign.