Parking in and round DIA a rising scorching spot for thieves

Vacationers beware, parking anyplace close to Denver Worldwide Airport comes with a threat of getting your automobile stolen.

“It is too unhealthy as a result of this must be a humiliation to DIA to the Metropolis and County of Denver… this has been happening a very long time,” Chad Raabe stated.

Raabe and his son Evan parked the household’s Ford F-350 within the East Economic system Lot.

Like 1000’s of others who use the pay-to-park heaps, they went via the gate, obtained the ticket, and left city.

Once they returned the truck was gone.

“For me I believed, I at all times felt prefer it was a secure place I imply, I assume now I see it as false advertising- the barricade arm and you bought the license plate reader you get the image of the license plate they usually promote a secure place to park 24/7 surveillance all these things,” Raabe stated.

On the airport’s web site, there’s a warning that felony exercise is up however state heaps are patrolled 24 hours a day 7 days per week.

“Have you ever seen safety?” CBS Information Colorado reporter Karen Morfitt requested Raabe.

“Within the car parking zone? By no means. I’ve regarded again now beginning to assume what number of instances I’ve seen… I do not assume I’ve seen the police division doing any type of patrolling, I do not assume I’ve ever seen any type of parking safety,” he responded.

A have a look at the numbers exhibits these parking heaps are the truth is a scorching spot for thieves.

“We have now watched DIA over the previous couple of months, now we have been working particularly, now we have recognized roughly a 2.5-mile space across the airport that now we have been taking note of now we have seen month-to-month will increase from year-to-date final yr,” Cale Gould a spokesperson with Colorado’s Auto Prevention Authority stated.

In keeping with their information in 2022 from January to June 188 automobiles had been stolen this yr throughout that very same time the quantity is as much as 241, a rise of 28%.

Of these the Ford F sequence tops the listing of most frequently stolen with eighty-two gone from their heaps to date this yr.

“Statewide as we development downwards throughout, we’re seeing a rise at DIA, as a result of DIA has a bigger variety of vehicles than they do folks it offers straightforward buying per se for a would-be thief,” Gould added.

For years airport officers have been requested what’s being completed to discourage rising theft and rising patrols was the reply then and is the reply now.

CBS Colorado’s request for an interview to speak about modifications which were made during the last yr was declined however a spokesperson for the airport did present a press release that partly reads:

“Den has greater than 40,000 public parking areas, the most important focus within the state. The airport and DPD teamed as much as improve patrols round den public parking areas however with a lot floor to cowl, we ask that passengers be additional vigilant when parking their vehicles.”

Gould says house owners can do a number of issues to harden their automobiles.

“For those who assume your automobile is perhaps extra uncovered than you want completely take extra measures steering wheel locks alarm methods kill switches automobile immobilizers are the perfect protections.” He stated.

However passengers say it is time airport officers do extra.

“I really feel like proper now it is simply ‘hey we’re getting our cash’ and that is all they care about is what it appears to me,” Raabe stated.

Raabe’s truck was stolen the primary week of July and was discovered this week.

If you would like to have a look at the place auto theft numbers are in your space or a sure a part of city the Auto theft prevention authority has an interactive map you need to use in addition to ideas for safeguarding your automobile, together with the place to discover a free wheel lock.

Colorado State Patrol says you possibly can cease by their workplace from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and ask for a wheel lock machine they usually will provide you with one.