On Wednesday, the Vermont House gave final approval to a bill that would make it a crime to go into someone else’s car without permission.It’s now one step closer to becoming a law as it heads to the Senate, coming at a time when property management groups and their tenants are facing another surge in car thefts.Just weeks ago, residents at an apartment complex along Shelburne Rd. in South Burlington received a warning of an uptick in people trying to steal cars or belongings in them.Across Chittenden County, the rate of these incidents skyrocketed since the pandemic, paralleling the trends surfacing from the substance abuse crisis.Police said that since Dec. 1, 2023, there have been 59 larcenies from motor vehicles reported in just the city of South Burlington.Shawn Burke, Chief of the police department, said, "I did scan down the list, and many of those targeted are multi-unit buildings with parking garages."But as there is currently no law in place, the larceny that’s been documented does not account for the thefts that have been attempted unsuccessfully.Even if the attempts are made on public property, many times, no laws are being broken."The garages are generally open to the public, so it depends. It could be a trespass if it’s posted 'no trespassing'," Burke explained.Vermont House lawmakers working to fix the loopholes in legislation unanimously approved an auto trespassing bill Wednesday.Chief Burke said the main perpetrators of these incidents are those dealing with addiction and feel a need to fund it — regardless of the price it comes at.There’s hope this law becomes the deterrent, as Burke elaborated: "When they’re out doing this for substance use disorder, their lack of care really isn’t there, and not to mention, they know the likelihood for possibly being prosecuted for these crimes – fairly low."
On Wednesday, the Vermont House gave final approval to a bill that would make it a crime to go into someone else’s car without permission.
It’s now one step closer to becoming a law as it heads to the Senate, coming at a time when property management groups and their tenants are facing another surge in car thefts.
Just weeks ago, residents at an apartment complex along Shelburne Rd. in South Burlington received a warning of an uptick in people trying to steal cars or belongings in them.
Across Chittenden County, the rate of these incidents skyrocketed since the pandemic, paralleling the trends surfacing from the substance abuse crisis.
Police said that since Dec. 1, 2023, there have been 59 larcenies from motor vehicles reported in just the city of South Burlington.
Shawn Burke, Chief of the police department, said, "I did scan down the list, and many of those targeted are multi-unit buildings with parking garages."
But as there is currently no law in place, the larceny that’s been documented does not account for the thefts that have been attempted unsuccessfully.
Even if the attempts are made on public property, many times, no laws are being broken.
"The garages are generally open to the public, so it depends. It could be a trespass if it’s posted 'no trespassing'," Burke explained.
Vermont House lawmakers working to fix the loopholes in legislation unanimously approved an auto trespassing bill Wednesday.
Chief Burke said the main perpetrators of these incidents are those dealing with addiction and feel a need to fund it — regardless of the price it comes at.
There’s hope this law becomes the deterrent, as Burke elaborated: "When they’re out doing this for substance use disorder, their lack of care really isn’t there, and not to mention, they know the likelihood for possibly being prosecuted for these crimes – fairly low."
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February 15, 2024 at 10:57PM
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VT House lawmakers approve auto trespassing bill as apartment complexes see uptick in car thefts - WPTZ
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