CRIME INFORMATION

Monthly Crime Report

We recommend you program this non-emergency number into your cell phone so the number will be available when needed. The 24/7 non-emergency number for the Missoula Police Department is 406-552-6300.

Always call 9-1-1 to report a crime in progress or if you have an emergency situation.

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Daily Public Report: https://apps.missoulacounty.us/dailypublicreport/

Registered Offenders: http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Missoula-Montana.html

Missoula Crime Activity: https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/335/Crime-Activity

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The opportunity arises when vehicles are left unsecured, running, and items of value are left in the vehicle. When the perpetrators find an unlocked vehicle, they will open the door and take whatever is easily removable from the vehicle.

Thefts from vehicles have increased over the past year.  Many of these thefts occur when cars are parked in driveways or along neighborhood streets. 

These circumstances are categorized as crimes of opportunity because unless the opportunity presents itself, the perpetrators usually do not commit the crime.

The popularity of GPS, radar detectors, cell phones, computers, and other electronic devices often attract thieves. Teenagers as well as adults often commit these crimes in residential areas, walking from vehicle to vehicle, lifting door handles to see if they can find one unlocked and/or running.

Neighborhood Watch offers the following tips to reduce the risk of being a victim of theft from your car.

• Always turn your car off when not occupied.
• Always lock your vehicle when it is parked. Criminals prey on the easy victim. By simply locking your vehicle the criminal will usually move on.
• Never hide a second set of keys in your vehicle.
• Completely close all vehicle windows when parking.
• Don’t leave motor vehicle registration, insurance policies, credit cards or other important papers in a vehicle’s glove compartment.
• Hide or take it with you.  Do not leave purses, wallets, or loose money in your vehicle.  If your purse or wallet is taken you could become the victim of other crimes such as stolen checks, credit cards, or even identity theft.
• Electronics and their accessories including cell phone holders, suction cups, power cords, etc., should be placed out of sight, when you are not in your car.
• Engrave expensive accessories like car stereos, cellular phones, compact disc changers, external speakers, etc., so the thief will have difficulty disposing of them.
• If you have a garage, use it.  Lock your garage door. Also lock your vehicle doors, even when it’s in the garage.  If your garage door opener is stolen from your vehicle, you risk giving the criminal access to your entire home.
• Park in a well lit area. Lighting is a deterrent. If a thief has to work in the light, the greater the chance he/she will be caught.
• Install an anti theft device or system on your vehicle as an extra deterrent measure.
• If your motor vehicle is an older model, replace standard door lock buttons with tapered ones.
• Consider actively participating in our Pleasant View Neighborhood Watch Program.  Neighborhood Watch is designed to reduce criminal opportunity and prevent crime through awareness, education, and cooperation between the community and the Missoula Police Department.

REMEMBER – Call the POLICE immediately at 9-1-1 if you suspect criminal activity is taking place at your home or your neighbor’s home; then notify Neighborhood Watch.