Neighbors in the My Ballard Facebook Group have reported several car prowls, the most recent theft involved two cars at 67th St. and 6th Ave. (pictured) and another three cars with broken windows at 70th and 9th Ave.
Using SPD’s crime maps, we counted the car prowls reported to the police from the top of Phinney Ridge through Ballard, and the number totaled 27 over the last week. There were 7 reported stolen vehicles over the same period. This is higher-than-average activity compared to the Seattle crime database for the Ballard area, but overall car prowls have remained rather consistent over the last 12 months.
Car prowls are not a new phenomenon in Ballard, but whenever we see the aftermath of one, it’s always a good reminder to keep your valuables out of view — or better, out of your car. Here’s SPD’s tips for how to prevent — and report — a car prowl.