Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: May 07

, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacce Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPD and DDA team up to launch anti-theft campaign

On first glance, a new campaign aimed at preventing auto burglaries looks like a program where people can get free beer, food or cigarettes.

Upon closer inspection, though, the anti-theft program – dubbed the Free Beer Campaign – is actually designed to warn law-abiding citizens that by leaving valuables in their cars, they are the ones giving free beer, food and smokes to criminals.

The Shreveport Police Department, with help from the Downtown Development Authority, is launching the Free Beer Campaign to help lower the number of auto burglaries in the downtown area.

The same campaign was launched in the Entertainment District (District 3) of Saint Louis, Missouri, in October of 2007. So far, it has had a significant impact on crime there. Auto burglaries in the quarter after the program launched were down 35 percent in District 3, as compared to the quarter before it began. It was down 40 percent from the year before.

Most people do not realize that in Shreveport, nearly half of all auto thefts where personal items were removed occurred because the vehicles were unlocked. Common items stolen include purses, music, GPS systems, guns, loose change and even clothing.

Like Saint Louis, the Shreveport campaign will feature a series of advertisements designed to remind citizens to lock up their cars and remove valuables from their vehicles.

One of the featured ads shows a beer bottle with the words “Free Beer…That’s what a thief sees when you leave stuff in your car.” Other similar ads featured “Free Food…”, “Free Smokes…” and “Free Gifts…” Restaurants will have “tent cards” sitting on their tables; bathrooms will feature the ads posted above the urinals; and businesses will have the posters mounted in their windows.

So far, the ads have caught the immediate attention of people who see them. It’s not until they look a little closer that they realize the message.

The campaign is different in that the campaign does not target the would-be criminals. It is targeting the would-be victims, who don’t realize that such a simple act like locking their car or rolling up their windows can prevent such thefts. This simple act can also help lower the crime rate.

District 13, which encompasses the downtown area, saw a 64 percent increase in the number of auto burglaries in 2007. In March, thefts from auto were up 7 percent.

Anyone who would like flyers or tent cards to use in their business may contact Kacee Hargrave in the SPD Public Information Office at 673-6932.

Information can be left with Crime Stoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

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View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews