Kudos to Mayor Mike Johnston and Police Chief Ron Thomas for developing what they tout as a new “comprehensive strategy for fighting auto thefts” in the city. The strategy, according to a press statement from the mayor’s office last week, will expand existing efforts and “ensure that Denver’s auto theft response remains coordinated and effective.”

Time will tell if the enhanced program proves a success, but it’s already encouraging simply to see the Johnston administration prioritize auto theft. Perhaps that’s no surprise considering the mayor himself has been an auto-theft victim twice in the past several years, most recently last October.

“Around 30 cars a day are stolen in our city. This is a huge impact on people’s lives, especially families with only one vehicle,” Johnston said in the press statement. “We are taking crime seriously and are proud to announce a comprehensive approach to auto thefts throughout Denver.” 

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The announcement follows a year in which Colorado’s statewide auto-theft rate at last began to decline — after the state had endured two years in a row with the dubious distinction of No. 1 in the nation for stolen vehicles. Last year’s welcome turnabout is credited in part to an overdue legislative crackdown last spring.

As reported in The Gazette, the Colorado State Patrol believes the passage of SB23-097 played a role in 2023’s 21% drop in auto thefts. Before the bill, charges were tied to the value of the stolen vehicle. Stealing a car worth less than $2,000 actually was only a misdemeanor. The new law made auto theft in the first degree a class 3 felony, auto theft in the second degree a class 4 felony and auto theft in the third degree a class 5 felony.

You can blame the very same legislature for watering down the law in the first place as part of its reckless and radical “justice reform” agenda. In 2021, lawmakers reduced a range of criminal penalties to misdemeanors, including for stealing vehicles valued under $2,000. It was practically an invitation to auto theft — and was an insult to motorists of modest means. They need their cars as much as more well-heeled people on the roads.

Putting teeth back into the state law — which the legislature did only under duress, amid a public outcry — seemed to work. No surprise there. And it empowers cities like Denver to take further steps of their own in enforcing the law.

Denver’s new initiative includes:

• Building a citywide network of automated license plate recognition devices that help DPD easily locate vehicles involved in crimes.

• Hosting community events to retrofit frequently stolen vehicle models with anti-theft software.

• Restoring the police force to its full authorized strength and increasing patrol capacity to respond to crimes including stolen vehicles.

The deployment of automated license plate recognition technology poses intriguing potential. City Hall’s announcement says it will be installed at some 70 intersections throughout the city and captures an image of the back of the vehicle, including its license plate. The network should help locate vehicles sought in a range of crimes, including homicides; hit-and-run crashes, and amber/silver alerts as well as reported vehicle thefts.

The city notes civil liberties will be safeguarded. Police must provide their reason to search the network’s database for a license plate. The data is encrypted, and after 30 days, data not tied to a specific investigation is automatically deleted.  

It sounds promising. Let’s hope it works in keeping Denver off the list of the nation’s car theft capitals.

Denver Gazette Editorial Board