Car Break-in On The Rise In Popular City-Owned Parking Lot
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — Car break-ins are on the rise in San Francisco, but in particular at city-owned garage near Union Square where 80 burglaries have been reported so far.
Car Break-in On The Rise In Popular City-Owned Parking Lot
The San Francisco Examiner reported last week that the break-ins at the Stockton-Sutter Garage—one of 18 owned by the city—reported last week accounted for a third of all car burglaries in the northeast part of the city, and that police patrolling area along with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency are making it a priority.
"We have operations to address the problem of vehicle break-ins at the garage and also an educational component to limit the number of break-ins, reminding people not to leave any visible property in vehicles," Officer Albie Esparza told the Examiner.
As of June, citywide car burglaries were up 9 percent compared to the first six months of 2013
Despite the 15 surveillance cameras, police have had a difficult time catching the thieves. They're promised additional patrols and warning drivers to lock their vehicles and to keep valuables hidden.
The Sutter-Stockton Garage is managed by the nonprofit Uptown Parking Corp. and has 1,865 spaces.
The garage's annual net revenue is $16 million, all of which goes to the SFMTA's operating budget.
