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Police chief reports spike in vehicle break‑ins, urges residents to secure vehicles
Summary
Police Chief Michael Simos told council the department is investigating a recent run of vehicle break‑ins — many involving unlocked cars — and said evidence and prosecution limits hamper enforcement efforts; he urged residents to report suspicious activity.
Police Chief Michael Simos told the Village of Saint Bernard council that investigators are working a recent string of vehicle break‑ins and urged residents to secure their property.
During the council’s safety report, Councilwoman Patty Hausfeld read October patrol figures and asked Chief Simos to address questions. Hausfeld reported 470 total contacts involving 610 calls for service in October, 40 criminal offenses that produced 78 arrests, 50 traffic citations, 62 traffic warnings, 20 speeding violations, four OVIs, 17 accidents (one with injury), and 27 mutual‑aid responses.
Chief Simos said the department has recorded 19 related incidents since Thanksgiving, many targeting unlocked cars. "Bottom line is 0 crime is unrealistic of a goal as that is," he said, adding that officers have increased investigative effort and patrol coverage, driving "over 300 miles a day in patrolling on these vehicles." He described cases in which juveniles were caught shortly after incidents — in one example, suspects were wearing ankle monitors — and said limits on pursuit, forensic evidence collection and downgraded charges have made prosecution difficult.
Chief Simos said fingerprints and DNA hits can be limited by system constraints and that, in some cases, felony auto theft charges were downgraded to unauthorized‑use misdemeanors at court. He asked residents to continue reporting suspicious activity and to lock vehicles and remove valuables.
Why it matters: The department described both a recent uptick in property crimes and structural challenges in moving cases through prosecution. The chief emphasized prevention measures—locking vehicles and reporting suspicious behavior—and said the department will continue investigative work.
What’s next: Council thanked Chief Simos for the briefing; no formal action was taken during the meeting.
