The University News

Issue date: 2/13/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Yusuf Al-Siddiq

Reports of license plate renewal sticker theft have increased recently. Across campus, students and employees are experiencing the frustration of finding out their renewal tabs are missing.

With an urban campus setting comes amazing opportunities but also surrounding poverty and increased crime rates. Students and employees increasingly report discovering renewal stickers stolen from their license plates.

"It is a crime of opportunity," said UMKC Police Chief Scott Shelton.

Shelton believes renewal sticker thieves usually strike at a large parking place so they can have their pick of several cars. Thieves tend to either sell the tabs for cash or substitute them for small amounts of drugs.

"It is an income," explained Shelton.

Culprits can be easy catch. Officers can trace the numbers on the renewal stickers back to the original license plate, but are unlikely to run random plates in traffic.

"We need a probable cause," said Shelton.

Luckily, students can take precautions to reduce the chance of becoming a victim.

"Students can purchase license plate brackets [covers] with clear plastic," said Shelton."

This discourages thieves, because it is more risky and the tabs are tougher to steal. Also, students can perforate their stickers from one corner to another, making an X on the sticker. If anyone tries to take the sticker off, it tears from the middle. Shelton believes thieves refuse to touch such plates.

Take precautions, but don't feel alone in this fight. The UMKC Police Department works to discourage on-campus theft. UMKC police receive national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agency (CALEA). Officers are certified to enforce not only campus policies and city ordinances, but state statutes as well.

The UMKC average for property crimes is significantly lower than the national average. The national average is 35 per 1000, and the UMKC average is 12 per 1000.

For more information about the UMKCPD visit: www.umkc.edu/adminfinance/police/faqs.asp.

The state of Missouri recognizes renewal sticker theft as a problem and plans to curb this theft. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, Missouri will issue new plates beginning Jan. 9, 2009, and by 2010 tabs will adhere to particular license plate number. Until then, students can visit the Missouri Department of Revenue Web site to learn extra safeguards: www.dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/tabtheft.htm.

hbaig@unews.com

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