My South Philly Review Crime Beat Column: Protect Your Car From Thieves

The South Philly Review ran my Crime Beat column today.

You can read the column above or the text below:

I recall a friend telling me about the day he left his house early in the morning and walked towards his parked car.

But the car was not there. Somone had stolen it. My friend was furious as he not only lost his car, he also lost the contents of the car, which included a variety of items belonging to him, his wife and his daughter.

He missed a day of work and pay, as he called the police and waited for them to come and take his statement. He never recovered his car.   

“Finding that your vehicle has been stolen can be a stressful event,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Acting Administrator. “Vehicle theft is driven by money and greed, a dangerous business that victimizes everyone, but fortunately, drivers can take precautions to reduce the risk of it happening.”

NHTSA is a U.S. Department of Transportation agency responsible for reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and focuses on road and vehicle safety nationwide. Established under the Highway Safety Act of 1970, it continues ion programs originally managed by the National Highway Safety Bureau.

According to NHTSA, a motor vehicle was stolen every 48 seconds in the United States in 2025. “NHTSA investigates safety defects in motor vehicles, sets and enforces fuel economy standards, helps states and local communities reduce the threat of drunk drivers, promotes the use of safety belts, child safety seats and air bags, investigates odometer fraud, establishes and enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations, conducts research on driver behavior and traffic safety, and provides consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics,” the agency noted.

NHTSA also highlights the potential for motor vehicle theft, preventive measures vehicle owners should take, the importance of addressing the vehicle theft problem, and its significant economic impact.

NHTSA offers tips to help prevent vehicle theft.

·         Park in well-lit areas.

·         Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.

·         Put away your valuables.

·         Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.

·         Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.

·         Remember to lock your vehicle every time you walk away to prevent vehicle theft.

·         Use common sense when parking and exiting your vehicle:

·         Take your vehicle's key; do not leave it in or on your vehicle.

·         Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.

·         Park in well-lit areas if possible.

·         Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially if they can be seen from outside the vehicle.

“Radios and wheel covers aren't the only popular stolen vehicle parts thieves take. They want whatever sells, from the mandated labeled parts to those that aren't. Some of the most popular items stolen from vehicles include air bags, GPS units, cell phones, iPads, laptops, and purses. Parts like doors, engines and transmissions are stripped and sold,” NHTSA explained.

 

According to NHTSA, there are numerous antitheft systems and devices designed to make vehicles more difficult to steal or easier to trace and recover:

·         Audible and Visible Devices: These devices, such as a horn alarm, deter theft by bringing attention to an unauthorized attempt to steal or enter a vehicle. Visible devices create a visual threat/warning/deterrence, such as the use of steering-wheel locks, as well as theft-deterrent decals, flashing lights, and window etching.

·         Immobilizing-Type Devices: These prevent thieves from bypassing a vehicle’s ignition system and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some incorporate computer chips in ignition keys or disable the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine.

·         Vehicle Recovery Systems: These devices use electronic transmission technology that help law enforcement reveal the location of stolen vehicles—and possibly catch the thief in the act.

If you are a victim of vehicle theft, follow these steps:

·         Contact police immediately to file a stolen-vehicle report. You will need a copy of the police report and/or a case number to provide to your insurance company. You may also be asked to provide the following information:

·         License plate number;

·         Make, model, and color of your vehicle; and

·         Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and any identifying characteristics.

·         Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of your vehicle being stolen.

·         Paul Davis’s Crime Beat column appears here each week. He can be reached via pauldavisoncrime.com. 

My South Philly Review Crime Beat Column: My Interview With Gary Capuano, The Founder Of The Retired Philly Cops Facebook Page

The South Philly Review posted my Crime Beat column online tonight ahead of tomorrow’s delivered print edition.  

You can read the column via the above page, online at Home - South Philly Review or the below text:

Gary Capuano is a retired Philadelphia Police sergeant and, like me, he is South Philly born and raised and still resides here. He is the author of “The Unofficial History of the PPD” as well as the founder of the “Retired Philly Cops” Facebook page. I reached out and asked him why he began the Facebook page.

Capuano: In March 2023, I founded the Facebook group “Retired Philly Cops” following a disagreement with a former administrator of another law enforcement page. Today, the group has grown to more than 2,000 members and includes retired police officers, their families, friends, neighbors, and supporters. Unlike some groups that limit membership exclusively to retired officers, I welcome anyone who is genuinely pro-police. While I may not agree with every modern trend in policing, such as dance-offs or "Coffee with Cops" events, I believe there is value in allowing the public to see that police officers are human beings. The group provides a small window into the realities of police work and the challenges officers face on a daily basis.

What topics of discussion are featured on the Facebook page?

Capuano: Some law enforcement groups appear to steer a particular narrative by restricting comments or shutting down discussions on controversial topics. In my opinion, limiting discussion discourages open dialogue, suppresses differing viewpoints, and creates a one-sided environment. Healthy online communities should encourage respectful debate and allow members to express their opinions, even when those opinions differ. Discussions should be based on facts rather than assumptions, speculation, or personal agendas. Topics such as police defunding, criminal justice reform, and what many perceive as a revolving-door justice system are frequently discussed within our group. More recently, active and retired officers have expressed concerns regarding pension payments and what many view as a broken disability system.

Like many organizations, the Police Department has always had its share of rumors and unofficial information. That was certainly true during my career, and I believe it remains true today. Members of our group occasionally post stories, information, or rumors without knowing whether every detail is accurate. I see nothing wrong with asking fellow members for clarification or discussing the legitimacy of a rumor. Civil debate and the exchange of information are important and should be encouraged.

Why are retired Philadelphia police officers still interested in the Philadelphia Police Department and crime in Philadelphia.

Capuano: I believe retired police officers remain interested in the department for several reasons. First, our oath never truly expires. Similar to the saying in the Marine Corps, "Once a Marine, always a Marine," many officers continue to feel a lifelong commitment to the profession. Second, retired officers remain concerned about the state of policing both locally and nationally. Unfortunately, during the final years of my career, I witnessed a decline in the camaraderie that once defined the profession. The sense of unity that many officers relied upon seemed to be fading. The loss of veteran officers through retirement, injuries, attrition, lack of manpower and departures to other agencies has contributed significantly to declining morale. Many officers feel unsupported by department leadership, despite the fact that street officers remain the backbone of any police department. The public often experiences the consequences through reduced police presence, slower responses, and a diminished sense of safety and community partnership.

Would you briefly describe your police career?

Capuano: I became a Philadelphia Police Officer in 1997 and was assigned to the 4th District. In 2003 I was assigned to plainclothes duty and worked a burglary detail until September 2005 when I was promoted to detective and assigned to the Southwest Detective Division, where I served until December 2007. I led the Southwest Detectives Fugitive Task Force as its Officer-in-Charge. From December 2007 until January 2014, I supervised operations involving search and arrest warrants, ranging from petty theft cases to homicide investigations. I was injured in the line of duty in April 2016 and was separated from service in June 2022.

Thank you for your service and thank you for the “Retired Philly Cops” Facebook page.

Paul Davis’s Crime Beat column appears here each week. He can be reached via pauldavisoncrime.com.