Staying SAFE Amidst RISING Property CRIME in Wilmington: What You Need to Know

In October 2023, the Wilmington Police Department issued a plea to residents: “Please lock your cars and don’t leave your firearms in them overnight.”

The warning came in a news release from the Wilmington Police Department, which stated that 64 weapons had been stolen from unlocked automobiles since the beginning of the year.

“Every week in our city law enforcement officers take firearms off criminals during traffic stops, calls for service, and other encounters,” according to the police department. “Most of the time these firearms were stolen from victims who left their car unlocked.” Just a few months later, in January 2024, the police department stated that property crime surged by around 26% in 2023, owing primarily to auto thefts and retail thefts.

Law enforcement officials attribute the increase in property crime to a variety of factors, including inflation and Wilmington’s continuous population development.

Car Break-ins and Thefts

When it comes to stealing weapons from cars, persons who cannot legally obtain a firearm will buy one off the street, according to Wilmington police in an October 2023 release. “I think it’s a matter of the thieves being lucky in combination with record numbers of gun sales,” said Lt. Greg Willett, public information officer for the Wilmington Police Department.

However, it is not only guns that are being stolen. Other items include smartphone chargers and loose coins. And many thefts occur from unlocked vehicles.

“That is a huge problem that we face,” Willett stated.

According to the WPD, only 4.8% of car larceny incidents in 2023 involved the suspect using force to gain entrance. Large concentrations of automobiles create a “target-rich environment” for vehicle theft, according to Willett, citing population development and an increase in apartment complexes.

Retail Thefts

Officials blame the increase in retail theft on inflation and increased retail prices.

Willett stated that the jump in theft from larger chain retailers has contributed significantly to the overall increase in property crime in the area. One area of worry is when retailers fail to disclose thefts.

“Some of those stores chose not to prosecute. “Some don’t even call the cops,” Willett explained, emphasizing that this is not true for all shopping establishments. “I think what will happen is people will learn who these stores are that don’t care, and they’ll target those stores.”

Shoplifting may be a “gut punch” for small companies, according to Shannon Brophy, manager of Edge of Urge in downtown Wilmington for the past five years. “It affects us,” she added. “We’re buying from people that hand makes these things, a lot of stuff is handmade…it’s too bad.”

Brophy stated that Edge of Urge struggles with theft year-round. “We lose money on that, it also distracts us throughout the day … (and) it makes everybody uncomfortable,” she stated.

What Can the Residents Do?

Drivers should be wary of personalized stickers and identifiers on their vehicles, especially those that might indicate the existence of a handgun. Willett also emphasized that firearms and other valuables should never be left in an unattended vehicle, especially overnight.

In addition to locking car doors and properly storing firearms, Willett underlined that reporting theft and larceny instances could help reduce future property crime.

“If you see something suspicious or … you notice (somebody) shoplifting … call us and let us know,” Willett stated. “If we’re lucky, we can get an officer out there, we can intercept these folks, (and) we can prevent that loss.”

Willett explained that reporting theft incidents helps law enforcement put preventative measures in place.

“Unfortunately, there is a large side of law enforcement … that has to be reactionary,” Willett stated. “We want to prevent crime and we want to be proactive … but we have to have information to go on.”

Conclusion

The Wilmington Police Department’s appeal to homeowners to lock their automobiles and protect firearms follows a growing trend of property crime, with 64 weapons stolen from unlocked vehicles in 2023 alone. Population growth and inflation contribute to this increase, underlining the significance of preventive actions such as reporting thefts to help law enforcement reduce future crimes and protect communities.