Why Police Refused to Chase a Car Thief: The New Reality in Apartment Security

Recently, Huntersville, NC residents were stunned when police gave up chasing a vandal and thief who had smashed the windows on multiple vehicles in their parking lot. 

Police later explained that:

“Huntersville Police Department did respond to reports of vehicle break-ins early this morning. Upon arrival, officers observed suspects fleeing the area in a vehicle. In accordance with department policy and in the interest of public safety, Huntersville officers are generally restricted from engaging in high-speed pursuits for property crimes, as these can pose significant risks to the community.”

High speed pursuits are definitely a safety risk and therefore only utilized in situations that are a threat to human life, but it does present something of a harsh reality for multi-family management and ownership groups:, they are going to have to defend themselves.  

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The Smash-and-Grab Reality: An Epidemic in Multi-family Property Management

Across the U.S., multifamily properties remain prime targets for car break-ins, with 8,200+ daily incidents and $7 billion in annual losses. Despite the surge, arrest and conviction rates remain alarmingly low, leaving property managers and residents to bear the brunt of this epidemic.

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The Scope of the Problem

• Daily impact: Over 8,200 car break-ins occur daily nationwide, with apartment complexes disproportionately affected due to high vehicle density and inconsistent security.
• Regional hotspots: Cities like Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Fort Lauderdale report dozens of break-ins at single complexes monthly, including incidents targeting police patrol vehicles.
• Suburban vulnerability: in our Multifamily Crime Poll,  60% of property managers report higher crime rates at suburban complexes compared to urban ones, driven in part by slower police responses.‍

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Arrest and Conviction Rates: A Systemic Failure

• Carjacking: Clearance rates dropped from 28% (2018) to 24% (2022), with stolen vehicle recoveries falling 6%.
• Motor vehicle theft: Only 7% of cases were cleared in 2022, down from 9% in 2018.
• Prosecutions are also facing hurdles due to poor surveillance footage and finite police resources to investigate property crimes. 

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Given the scope of the problem, apartment communities must adopt proactive theft prevention strategies to protect residents. 

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Apartment Theft Prevention: Strategies for Property Managers

While educating residents about vehicle safety is a good place to start, if you have escalating risk in your garage or parking lot, it’s time to learn more about AI Surveillance and Remote Guarding.  In 97% of cases, AI Surveillance and Remote Guarding can send would-be thieves in your parking garage running - just as they do in this video. 

And the best part? These thieves are unlikely to return, as there are easier targets elsewhere.

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This video shows how our platform prevents auto theft proactively

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Want to learn more?

BOOK A CALL. We’re here to help. 

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