"Trump called the city "a great place" but noted he has friends who leave the trunk and doors of their cars open because they know they're going to be vandalized and don't want to risk getting the windows or other parts of their vehicles damaged. "They don't want the trunk ripped off in order for them to steal what's in there, in the back," he said."
"The president also said another friend of his leaves his garage door open, "so that people can just walk into his garage and take whatever they want and leave." In a city that prides itself on its opulent image, the comments took officials by surprise. Responding to a question about Trump's comments, a city spokesperson told The Times in a statement that Beverly Hills is not aware of residents intentionally leaving their vehicles unlocked to prevent vandalism."
"Reported cases of stolen items (that amounted to less than a $950 loss) from a vehicle within the city has steadily increased, according to Beverly Hills Police Department data. In 2022 there was a total of 324 theft reports, an estimated 386 in 2023, in 2024 there were 472. Police data show overall crime in the city rose in 2022 and 2023 but fell in 2024."
Some Beverly Hills residents reportedly leave car trunks and garage doors open to deter vandalism or avoid damage when items are taken. City officials say they are not aware of residents intentionally leaving vehicles unlocked to prevent vandalism. Reported thefts from vehicles under $950 rose from 324 in 2022 to an estimated 386 in 2023 and 472 in 2024. Overall crime increased in 2022 and 2023 before declining in 2024. Beverly Hills Police have concentrated resources on retail crime in the Rodeo Drive luxury corridor rather than on vehicle theft.
Read at Los Angeles Times
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]