Crime Trends/ Patterns
Public Release

 REMEMBER TO LOCK YOUR CAR AND REMOVE YOUR VALUABLES

   The El Paso Police Department wants our community to become more aware of the increase in criminals breaking into vehicles.  These individuals are stealing property and in some cases are also taking the vehicles.  If you follow some basic crime prevention tips you can prevent from becoming a victim of these crimes.  First and foremost ALWAYS lock your car.  It takes only a few seconds and will become second nature once you get into this habit.  If you have anything of value, place it in the trunk of your car or cover it so that it is not visible to tempt thieves.  Thieves will break windows to remove property so take away the temptation and protect your valuables.  Never leave purses or wallets inside of vehicles as this could open the door to other types of criminal activities such as identity theft and possibly even credit card abuse.  Hide purchases as well as cell phones or electronic devices such as game systems, CD players, or portable TV/ DVD players out of view.  If you observe anything that is suspicious, report it.  The police department would rather investigate a crime prone situation than be called after a crime has been committed.  If you witness a crime in PROGRESS call 911.  If you wish to report suspicious activity that is not an emergency, please call 832-4400.  If you have information regarding criminal activity, you can also call CRIME STOPPERS (566-8477) to be eligible for cash rewards if the information leads to arrest and indictment.

The El Paso Police Department has seen an increase in graffiti across our beautiful city. As a result of the increase in this type of vandalism, the Department, in partnership with other agencies and community groups, is working on developing a plan to assist in identifying the criminals who deface our city. As such, the Police Department is depending on help from citizens to report locations where graffiti is visible and to help us locate, deter, and arrest any individuals participating in these crimes.

Also, we are aware that it is taking longer to remove the damages caused by these individuals, but we need your help reporting these incidents to assist us in tracking and prosecuting those responsible. Please take the time to call in graffiti to the below numbers or report graffiti on-line if you have access to a computer. All cases will be worked on to identify suspects and to clear cases.

The District and County Attorneys’ offices have promised zero tolerance for those responsible for the graffiti in our communities.

Graffiti in progress	call 9-1-1	(let the operator know that the suspects are in the act)
Graffiti found	832-4400	(call taker, will send a unit to take report/photos)
Report over phone	832-4436	(call taker will take report, no unit sent)
Report on line www.eppd.org		Go to online reports and click on graffiti reporting form (Makes police report and issues case number, then sends work order to the City to remove graffiti.)
Graffiti hotline	621-6789 533-3434
www.elpasotexas.gov/streets/graffiti/asp This creates work order for graffiti removal, no case number made.

print-version