Property Crimes

Lieutenant Doug Luse, VPD Investigations

8785

63 Percentage of Property Crimes that went unreported in 2015 (according to US Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey).

8,344,906 Total value of property that was reported stolen in the city of Vancouver in 2014.

Total number of Burglaries, Auto Thefts, Vehicle Prowls, Malicious Mischiefs, Thefts and Arsons reported in Vancouver in 2015.

Average number of vehicles reported stolen each day in Vancouver in 2015 (899 total).

0 Total number of Property Crimes Detectives at the Vancouver Police Department.

2.5

$

%

Property Crime Reports 2013-2015

3

• Residential and commercial burglaries

• Possession of stolen property

• Vehicle Prowls

• Auto Thefts

• Shoplifting rings

• Frauds

• Forgeries

Property Crimes Unit Investigations

• Malicious mischief and vandalism

• Pawn detail

• Credit card thefts

• Identity thefts

• Embezzlement

• High-tech computer fraud

• Craig’s list fraud

The work of property crimes detectives often results in search warrants and surveillances when appropriate. Detectives would also work pro-active cases and serial property crime cases as identified by the Crime Analyst. Detectives work with a variety of other law enforcement agencies, locally and nationwide, to develop and exchange information, work leads, recover stolen property, make significant arrests and support prosecution.

What Would a Property Crimes Unit Do?

Historical Perspective

VPD Property Crimes Unit

2002: 1 Sergeant and 5 Detectives 2004: 1 Sergeant and 6 Detectives 2006: 1 Sergeant and 7 Detectives 2007: 1 Sergeant and 6 Detectives 2008: Property Crimes Unit eliminated

• Patrol o Follows up on a case by case basis depending on complexity, quality of

leads and the officer’s available time. • Neighborhood Response Team

o Works higher level cases • Arson Unit

o Works with VFD Fire Marshals Office. (Collateral assignment for a patrol officer.)

• Major Crimes Unit

o Only large property crime cases (min. $100,000 loss) o High dollar and/or victim number fraud and embezzlement cases o Cases as directed by the VPD Office of the Chief

Property Crimes Investigations: Current Status

Comparative Departments

Alameda, CA PD 90 Sworn Property Crimes Unit: 1 Sergeant and 3 Detectives Bellevue, WA PD 180 Sworn Property Crimes Unit: 2 Sergeants and 12 Detectives Berkeley, CA PD 170 sworn Property Crimes Unit: 1 Sergeant and 5 Detectives Kent, WA PD 139 Sworn Property Crimes Unit: 1 Sergeant and 6 Detectives Modesto, CA PD 226 Sworn Property Crimes Unit: 1 Sergeant and 8 Detectives Yakima, WA PD 143 Sworn Property Crimes Unit: 1 Sergeant and 5 Detectives

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The investigation of property crime is a core function of any police organization. . . Recommendation:

Additional detectives should be added to investigate property crimes and other crimes generally encountered by the Investigations Division.

ICMA Report Recommendation

Doug Luse | Lieutenant Valor, Professionalism, Duty

Vancouver Police Department/Investigations Division 2800 NE Stapleton RD • Vancouver, WA, 98661 P: (360) 487-7371 E: doug.luse@cityofvancouver.us

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