Milwaukee Police are reporting that one-in-five crimes committed, within the city, are the theft of license plates and registration stickers. This crime has burdened Milwaukee residents for years and according to FOX6 News, every Milwaukee Police station has a box full of recovered license plates.
“The city of Milwaukee has the vast majority of these thefts in the state. We average 4,400 a year,” Milwaukee Police Captain Terrance Gordon said. Gordon states some thieves only peel off the registration decal while others take the entire plate.
The third, fifth and seventh city, police districts are the areas hardest hit by these thieves. MPD believes many of the thefts go unreported as the State of Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles does not require a police report to get a replacement sticker.
Many people safeguard their registration sticker from being stolen by making slices, with a razor blade or utility knife, to the sticker, after it has been placed on the license plate. The sticker is then useless to a would-be thief
Using a license plate cover may be a good deterrent, but is not recommended by officials. The covers can become dirty and make the license plate less visible.
Unfortunately, while you may be able to safeguard your registration sticker, your license plate is still quite vulnerable. If your license plate or registration sticker have been stolen, Milwaukee Police advise you to call them immediately. Thieves are able to sell registration stickers for $5 or $10, on the street. License plates can be put on a vehicle that is committing a crime. That is why it is vital to report any and all occurrences of theft to your local police department.
SOURCES: Milwaukee Police Dept., WITI-TV FOX6 News
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