An alarming increase in car break-ins at mountain parks this year has authorities urging residents to take precautions.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has filed 33 reports of vehicle break-ins at Jeffco parks in the unincorporated part of the county this year, up from six at this point a year ago. Many of the reports are considered “smash-and-grab,” where a thief breaks a car window to get at items inside the car.
“Itap any day of the week, any time of day and now any of our parks,” Jefferson County Open Space visitor service manager Mary Ann Bonnell said of thefts.
These break-ins are different from what is typically seen in suburban areas in the south part of the county where most thefts are a result of unlocked car doors, according to Jeffco Sheriff’s Office spokesman Mark Techmeyer.
The Sheriff’s Office and Open Space rangers are encouraging park patrons to leave valuables at home and not store them in their car while hiking. Open Space has posted signs at different trailheads and promoted awareness on social media, reminding visitors of the danger. Common items stolen include wallets, purses, backpacks and cellphones.
The highest concentration of break-ins is in the area near Red Rocks Park, the Amphitheatre during concerts and Dinosaur Ridge, which has accounted for almost half of this year’s break-ins, with 15 reports filed.
Bonnell said the problem goes back for years, and she thinks the thieves are smart and watch people hide valuables in their backseats or their trunk. They’re likely dressed as park-goers blending in with anyone else who might be there to hike or run a trail.
Arrests are common because thieves can be identified on camera using stolen credit cards, Techmeyer said. The camera footage also reveals that the problem stems from a large pool of thieves.
“We think itap various individuals; we don’t think itap one person,” he said.
Bonnell said the best prevention is to leave valuables at home or, if necessary, hide any valuables before parking near a trailhead.
“Itap an annual thing and something we definitely think can be prevented with behavioral changes on people’s part,” Bonnell said.