Preventing Motor Vehicle Thefts
MARCH 1, 2024
In recent years there has been a nationwide increase in motor vehicle thefts, and that trend has affected Chicago the University community. The tips and information in this email can help our community reduce motor thefts and break-ins.
In 2024, the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) has continued to receive multiple reports of stolen vehicles and break-ins in the areas on and immediately adjacent to our campus. The recent incidents, which are noted on the Department of Safety & Security's Daily Fire and Crime Log, have occurred in both daylight and evening hours, and have impacted members of the University community as well as people with no University affiliation.
If you witness a similar incident, or other concerning activity, please report it to UCPD immediately by activating an emergency phone, by calling UCPD, or by using the UChicago Safe mobile safety app.
Please consider the following prevention tips commonly suggested for these types of crime:
- Remember to lock all doors and close windows when parking your vehicle and if possible, park in well-lit areas.
- Consider installing or using anti-theft devices such as alarms and/or steering wheel locks.
- Remember to remove valuable items from your vehicle and/or store them where they are not visible from outside the vehicle; and
- Members of the University community with an active UChicago ID can park for free after hours at the Campus North (Ellis) Garage and the Kimbark South Garage between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m., seven days a week. Just use your ID card to enter and exit.
We also recommend registering your laptop computer with UCPD so that it can be more easily identified if stolen from your vehicle. Contact the UCPD's Community Relations Unit at 773.702.6008 or at ucpd-cru@uchicago.edu for more information.
Visit the Department of Safety & Security's website for more information about safety and security at the University of Chicago.