Over the past year, the City of Gresham has experienced a significant increase in car thefts. In an effort to lessen the impact of car thefts within the community, the City of Gresham together with the Gresham Police Department will be distributing free anti-theft devices for cars Saturday, Dec. 17, 1:00-3:00 pm at the Gresham Fred Meyer parking lot, at 2497 SE Burnside Rd.
"In 2022, we’ve seen a 17% increase in vehicle theft,” says Gresham Police Chief Travis Gullberg. “Car thefts create a tremendous burden on our community, and we want to do everything we can to keep our community safe.”
The five most stolen models of cars in Gresham this past year include Ford, Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet and Kia. Gresham wants to encourage owners of these specific vehicles to either bring their cars directly to the distribution event or bring proof of ownership to receive a free anti-theft device.
It is important to recognize that an anti-theft device is one step towards preventing car theft. Additional steps that can be taken include:
- Never leave your unattended car running.
- Do not leave valuables where they can be seen; lock them in the trunk or take them with you. (Including purses, shopping bags, electronic devices, and firearms).
- Close and lock the windows and doors.
- Park in a well-lit area.
- Use an anti-theft device if possible.
“We’re grateful for the grant funding that has allowed us to move so quickly in light of a growing community need,” says Emon Ghassemi, City of Gresham Youth Services Manager. “While this is one part of a larger comprehensive safety plan, Safe Gresham, we hope to be able to provide more opportunities like this for our community in the future.”
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