It’s no secret that Denver has a car theft problem. In fact, the city has been ranked one of the worst in the country for several years now. But what may come as a surprise is just how bad the problem has become. According to new data from the Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Taskforce (C-MATT), Denver’s stolen car numbers are climbing at an alarming rate.
C-MATT is the agency in charge of tracking vehicle thefts across multiple counties within Denver’s metro area. Motor vehicle thievery increased 24% during Q1 2022, compared to last year’s first quarters–and on average nearly 100 cars are stolen each day.
Denver has been a hot spot for stolen vehicles since the start of 2022. There have been 3,290 vehicles stolen, according to C-MATT. That is mostly in the metro area, with Arapahoe, Adams, and Jefferson counties trailing closely behind.
Why are we seeing such climbing numbers of car thefts?
The Colorado legal system is in a state of chaos as the pandemic and prison space shortages leave many cases resolved with plea deals that can vary from fines to probation or dismissed charges altogether. Therefore, we have the same people being released, only to re-offend.
The Denver Police Department is urging citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity they see. With the increase in stolen cars, it is more important than ever for residents to work together to keep our neighborhoods safe. If you see something, say something.
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