In total, arrests and reported incidents for March are high, certainly the highest we've seen over the last six months and over the last couple years. Those numbers are somewhat deceiving though. In most categories, crime was down. The exceptions were vehicle burglaries and thefts. Vehicle burglaries were on the high side of the typical range we often see.
 
Thefts once again led all other reported crimes. Unlike most other categories that are primarily reported incidents, almost half of the thefts are arrests for shoplifting. We hope to see low figures in the data so we know crime is minimal, but, ironically, high numbers in thefts can also show that violators are being caught and arrested. Spread the word that shoplifting and other crimes are being enforced in Garland and explain the future consequences that these bad choices will have on careers and futures.
 
Young people represent a high percentage of shoplifting, vehicle burglary, and other theft cases. That stolen $25 or $150 item can easily cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars over their lives in lost review and lower employment levels. Lost community prestige is unmeasurable. We as a community need to convey to our children and to other youth that investing in their future means making the choices that will pay dividends, not cost them year after year.
 
At the neighborhood level, we see more intrusions this last month than what we had been seeing. Those incidents can be counted on two or three hands but, for those families affected, it can be traumatic. As always, be aware and protect your property by locking doors, keeping garage doors closed, locking cars, and using other techniques that discourage trespassers. Double and quadruple your protection by watching your neighbors property and knowing your neighbors so they will care about yours.
 
Contact your Neighborhood Police Officer if you would like to have someone speak at a neighborhood meeting to learn more ways that you can protect yourself, your family, and your property.
 
If you want to review the areas that have reported incidents over the last month, download the complete report here for address-by-address information that includes your neighborhood.