Where’s our Solution to Increased Car Thefts?

Every week we are reading or hearing news headlines of another car theft incident involving juveniles. This is a serious problem that has engulfed Connecticut and our country. Earlier in the year, it appeared as though there was momentum on both sides of the political aisle to bring a much-needed solution to our community’s residents.

In recent weeks, the momentum to pass legislation combatting this issue has substantially slowed. We are only a few short days away from this year’s adjournment and I am growing concerned that there is a lack of urgency to reverse the alarming trend and cut down on car thefts.

This issue hits home for me. Multiple cars have been stolen from my driveway. During the public hearing on this issue, there was some opposition in toughening up laws – specifically to deter young people from acting in nefarious and destructive ways.

I took offense in hearing some of my colleagues attribute stolen vehicles to the fault of their owners. Yes, that’s right. People believe that if your car is stolen, then you didn’t do a good enough job of protecting it. While I agree that locking your vehicle is common sense, many times windows are smashed, or electronic reading devices are used to enter a locked car.

There are alarming examples of these car thefts that have happened recently:

• Wolcott, CT (5/3/21) – In a Cumberland Farms parking lot, a car was stolen with a 5-year-old girl inside. Thankfully, the child was reunited safely with her family.
• Darien, CT (5/11/21 – 5/12/21) – A string of four car break-ins were reported. Two vehicles were stolen, the other two were damaged and had items stolen from them.
• Manchester, CT (5/20/21) – A 9-year-old girl was sleeping in the back of a vehicle, which was stolen. When the girl woke up, the driver realized a child was in the back seat and ditched the car – leaving the girl on the side of the road. Thankfully, she was later safely reunited with her family.

I supported a legislative concept, which came through the Judiciary Committee earlier in the session, that sets forth a framework to deter potential car thefts and break-ins. This bill would make it a crime to coerce a minor into committing a crime. Often times, youths are influenced by their older peers in the community. It’s well-known penalties are not as strict on juveniles, so they’ll be encouraged by adults to engage in criminal activity.

The bill also seeks to increase community resources in allowing local police departments to investigate car thefts to a greater extent. Additionally, a GPS monitoring system would be deployed for individuals who are arrested for breaking into a motor vehicle.

We adjourn this session on Wednesday, June 9, so the clock is ticking to get something accomplished. The committee moved the bill forward in a bipartisan fashion, and I am hopeful my fellow committee members will join me in shepherding across the finish line.

For more updates on what’s going on at the State Capitol, you can go to RepCallahan.com.

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