Milwaukee Students Steal Cars

High school students in Milwaukee are very committed to attending class. They are so committed, in fact, that they're stealing cars to get there.

They must really care about getting an education.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, via Twitter:

High school students who don't feel like walking to school in the cold are causing a spike in car thefts on the north side of Milwaukee, police said Wednesday.

In the past week or so, District 7 police have seen a 43% increase in car thefts, up from about 25 a week, and many of them are by students who spotted unattended cars that their owners had left to warm up with the key in the ignition.

"What we see probably more than anything, generally around this time of year, is around high schools," said Shellee Lubus, a police officer in District 7. "Kids that have to walk to school, they'll walk through the alleys. They'll find somebody that's got their car running left unattended. It's just a quick, easy way to get to school. They'll leave the car within a block or two of school."

In all seven of the city's districts, car thefts increased 58% from 168 in the three weeks that started Nov. 22, 2011, to 266 in the approximately three-week period from Dec. 11 through Jan. 3, 2012, according to Milwaukee police statistics.

The recent thefts often occurred between 7 and 8 a.m., or in the afternoon while a driver stops by a coffee store or pizza place, Lubus said.

"Really, the main reason it's gone up that dramatically is that people are being lazy," she said. "They're taking a chance it's not going to happen to them. And lo and behold, even within a few minutes, they're going to come out and they're going to find out their car is gone."

This is disgraceful.

Without question, no one should leave a car running and unattended in Milwaukee. It's MILWAUKEE! However, I don't think it's right to focus on the owners of the cars as "lazy."

What about the thugs stealing cars?

I think it's more appropriate to put the emphasis on the criminals, grand theft auto.

The "lazy" car owners are making it easy for the thugs to take their cars. But when I was in high school, I would NEVER drive off in someone else's car. That's a crime.

The thugs doing the stealing are scum. Are mommy and daddy proud of their kids?

On the south side of Milwaukee, late-model Toyota Camrys and Honda Civics are the most popular to steal. But on the north side, the thieves usually prefer late-model minivans because they're easy to steal and because several friends can fit into the car and drive around until the car runs out of gasoline or hits something, Lubus said.

"A lot of people think kids will steal . . . the Pontiac Firebirds, the Chevy Camaros or something a little sporty," she said. "But nine times out of 10, it's our Plymouth Voyagers, our Dodge Caravans, and it's the Town and Countrys. If you're driving any kind of late-model minivan like that, you need to put the club on your car. It's the cheapest thing you can do that'll save your car."

This makes me sick.

The problem is the thugs and the parents that raised thugs, not the car owners.

Get a club to protect your car if you're in Milwaukee. That doesn't exactly say much for the city.

"Come and visit Milwaukee, but don't forget the club!"

What kind of a hellhole is this city becoming?

Lubus recommended anti-theft devices, a cheap alarm system or a $100 remote-start system for those who prefer to let their car warm up. Some electronic tracking devices use a hidden transmitter to allow police to track the vehicle.

Some of the car thefts on the north side have centered on the area of N. Sherman Blvd. and W. Congress St., W. Appleton Ave. and W. Capitol Drive, and other main thoroughfares, she said.

Many cars are later recovered, out of gasoline, abandoned in someone's garage or on the street. Lubus said thieves often face few repercussions for what they did.

Lubus pointed out that leaving a car running unattended with a key in the ignition is a municipal violation that also could cost the driver a $22 ticket.

"If you need your car for transportation, to get to work, to get your kids to school, why take that chance?" she said. "If we can see it as officers when we drive around, then obviously, the thieves can, too."

You'll get a ticket for leaving your car running.

Steal a car because it's cold and you don't want to walk to school? Few repercussions.

What's wrong with this picture?

Community leaders should focus on dealing with the thugs, the criminals.

Milwaukee has a population of high school students who are car thieves.

Terrific.

If a young thug is stealing cars, allegedly to go to school, that thug is not on the right path to grow up to be a responsible, law-abiding citizen.

I'm certain the thug doesn't spend a lot of time studying.

What a dysfunctional mess!

Do something, Mayor Tom Barrett!

At least act like you're outraged. Please. Just a little bit.

The decline of Milwaukee is truly sad. Its deterioration is accelerating. That's understandable, given the appalling lack of leadership.

I don't understand why Milwaukee residents tolerate it.