This is a downbeat on ninety seven to one in the Freak is the time. It's the down beat. Go until ten, Ben and Skin coming up after this. Speak easy. In the afternoons, we have maps and I don't know maps. Fine, we do have MAVs Tonight Jazz, MAVs Jazz on this the home of the Dallas Mavericks this evening, and then the MAVs not back until Monday. Really they get a little rest time. You get
a three day weekend. Yep. Nice, that's good for them. And then back to back is they run into to that that mess next week and good news for uh. Obviously, listen to the Freak if you at any opportunity you can to MAVs basketball coops the bomb. But for those of you that aren't Balley subscribers, w FAA tonight seven tip yep, a baby, I know it makes me so happy. I love it. All Right, we'll play some of your talk eff here in half an hour or so,
have a little more fun. All sorts of stuff still to get to. But here's something that I've had in my mind since an article I read over a week ago, and I want to bring our guest on. He is the senior Public Information Officer for the City of Dallas. This is Officer Jesse Carr joining us live on ninety seven one. The freak officer Mike, can you hear me? Good morning? Loud and clear? Do I say officer?
What do we say here? No? So, technically I'm the senior PIO for the Dallas Police Department. I'm a professional staff so I'm not a police officer, not an officer. Do you wish you were? Does it sound cooler if you can introduce yourself as such? Are we okay? So maybe I was a police officer for seven years and I love the communication side of things, and so I came over here last year to do professional staff stuff focused on public information. Cool. Well, I love it. Well,
thanks for jumping on with us for a few minutes. So I was talking to my sister in law last week and she was like, so, we got a bunch of cars stolen from our building. She lives right on McKinney Avenue, her and my brother, and she's says they saw the video of it, and apparently these guys came in and out it was a matter
of minutes. And I was like, wow, dude, I didn't know it was like that, and then I read an article about how from the year twenty twenty one to the year twenty twenty two, auto theft had gone up forty percent in DFW and I'm like forty percent, and I'm like, I need to learn more about this and hopefully Jesse, you're the man who can teach us and our listeners. So is that number true? And is auto theft like going nuts right now in DFW? Well, so it's definitely
increased. And you know, one thing that's interesting about auto thefts is, right now, this is a nationwide problem. It's it's definitely an issue here in Dallas, that this is something that's happening across the country. And you know, so far this year, we've we've definitely seen an increased twenty twenty
four compared year to date, compared to twenty three. One thing that a little comforting on our end is that although there's been a year today increased, where continuously seeing months and months decreases, you know, which is which is definitely positive. Not where we want to be, but but it's positive. What do you attribute the spike in the numbers from UH that that kind of
fiscal period is it. My guess would be that the thieves are ramping up their ability on the technological side, because gone are the days for most of us that where you just put a key in the door and open it up and slim jimming a car is not going to get you anywhere without the fob. And it seems to me like the thieves are able to use technology to to clone these fobs to allow them access to the cars. Is that kind of why this may be happening. Yeah, there, You know, there's
definitely two major factors. The first one you kind of touch on, it's it's technology, So it's you know, we're seeing these suspects you're using you know, changes in technology and enhancements and technology where they're able to take key programmers and create keys and steal vehicles. Uh, And that is absolutely a
factor. And then you know, secondly, you know, as we've seen, you know, kind of in the last three to four years, is obviously the change in the car market, but but a recent shortage you know in parts and chips has created a higher demand you know for uh, for that market. And and then also you know kind of the change in in price of vehicles. You know that that makes us cars and trucks more valuable
and profitable for for these kind of criminals. Is it possible that uh, a lot of these cars could be stolen mainly just for one or two parts. You mentioned chips, Another one is catalytic converters. It might just be easier now to take the whole damn car then to have to crawl under there and pull a catalytic converter off of it, right, Yeah, you know, and that's something that's interesting. I can't speak too much as far as
catalytic converters specifically. One thing, you know, those are just in themselves or are relatively easy to steal, relatively you can feel them fairly quickly. But absolutely for other car parts, you know, and definitely definitely an increased market for that, and that could absolutely be why. Okay, so if this is a Jesse Carr by the way, from the day from the Dallas Police Department. Okay, so if your car is stolen, you immediately probably
think, oh, yeah, I'll call the police. But it feels like a very helpless situation. And I can imagine you going out to your parking garage or your parking lot, uh, wherever it happens. Like what happens after that? I've always kind of wondered, like you call the cops, you know, what's the process, and then you just sit there and wait, like what's the what do you do when you're if this were to happen to you? Yeah, you know, it is very frustrating, absolutely very
frustrating. You know, one thing that we like to emphasize is is we value life over property. So it's frustrating as frustrating as it is to lose something that you've worked hard for, you know, we do want to emphasize it's not worth losing your life or being seriously injured. With that being said, we rolled out a pretty innovative program in December of twenty twenty three to help us in a number of ways. And that program now allows us to
take stolen vehicle reports via video conference. And so all a person needs to do is call nine one one, and then within a few minutes they're connected with an officer via video conference. The officer can then take all the information that they need related to the reporting person and then the vehicle, and then that helps us exercise the process of that report being started and then that vehicle being entered into the database is being stolen one. So that's helped us in
two major ways. One it helps us in patrol hours and just allowing our officers who are out there on patrol responding to calls to stay focused on our higher priority calls, which in some cases can include those vehicle steps that are in progress, so you look out your window and you see someone inside your car or you see someone trying to steal your car. And then the other way that that really helps us is it expedite that process of getting those stolen
vehicles entered into the system. So that helps us in recovery efforts as well. So but if you do get your car soal on, I mean, I don't know if you have any figures on the likelihood that you're to get it returned on scathe with your golf club still in the back. I mean that has to be one in a couple of hundred, right, because people who do this and do it a lot, have a system in play, right. They take it to some chop shop that we don't know about that
you guys are probably on the hunt for. Tags are changed and everything's different, and then things gone or sold for parts or whatever. Their their procedure is right, if your car stolen, the likelihood of you getting it back in the same condition that you left it is pretty small, right, you know. Usually you know, one thing you know that we're continuing to see, you know, and you kind of spoke to is obviously most of these criminals who are who are doing this are are very good at what they do.
They've also you know, they are very bold, and you can see the lack of respect that they have for for other people and for other people's
property. One thing that we also encourage, you know, that people can do is as these criminals get better at the technological side and programming, they're able to disable a lot of your standard dealer tracking, you know, and so we would encourage people to look at using any kind of anti theft blocking devices, any after market tracking devices, you know, whether that's a lowjack
or an air tag. And and even in some cases you know, looking at they can put aftermarket kill switches on their vehicles that can prevent them from from being started no matter what is overridden on the on the computer side of
the vehicle. I may ask you this, I guess two things. Because one of the things that the off officer that spoke to UH at my brother's building said, is you may want to get a club the club remember the club, Yes, because he mentioned a few tech technological options, but realistically, the damn club that you put on your steering wheel and prevents the wheel from being turned is a very h analog option I think to prevent this.
So I'd ask you if that's true at all. And the second part is more tech based because you mentioned the cloning of keyfobs that sort of things. The officer, I believe painted a picture of people driving by a large parking lot and just pressing a button and seeing which car they just unlocked. I mean, is technology at that level where they're driving through a parking lot pressing a button, waiting for something to get unlocked, and then they're almost home
free. Yeah. You know, to your first point, absolutely, using those wheel locks, the steering will locks, the clubs is is is great. I won't necessarily say it makes it full proof, but that is another great tool that someone can use to help prevent these kind of thefts. And then to the technology side, you know, absolutely, I wouldn't say that it is in every single case and it's incredibly common, but it's some of
these technological advancements have have reached that level. DPD spokesperson, Is that right, Okay, Jesse Carr joining us right now on ninety seven to one. We see the lists every year and you know, various sources, uh, you know, put the publish these and it's the list of the most popular cars stolen, and it's usually the Honda, a cor the Toyota Camry, the F one. I'm assuming the reason those are the most popular is because
those are probably the most produced automobiles in North Texas. Is that kind of that? Do you see those trends kind of remaining remaining static as far as the most popular cars that are being stolen now? And is that the reason why they are? You know a little bit. One thing that we've kind of seen more recently is there's there's been more of an instans on on like
Chevy and GMC trucks and SUVs. You know, we we do see some some Kias and some Hyundai's, but then you know, of course anything that's high performance, but specifically like the Dodge Charger and Challengers, Jeeps, Corvette Camaros and in some cases the Ram TRX. That's that's where what we have been seeing trending more recently. See he didn't say anything about the Volkswagen Mikey,
So I'm clear, I am theft proof, Okay. So I would assume that the main reason that cars are stolen is probably not some you know, organized crime ring that's stealing these things for parts. I would assume that the most common reason that cars are stolen are to commit another crime to just for transportation, or it's just opportunity where they see an easy get you know, oh the doors are unlocked, I'm taking this car. Would would you
agree with that? Or is it basically or is the overriding reason that cars are stolen for some larger purpose? Well, you know, I would say it's a mixture. You know. The vehicle thefts are definitely a crime of opportunity, but you know, kind of going back to what we mentioned at the beginning in the sense of shortage and car parts and chips, you know, and kind of the the change in the market for used cars as far
as how how valuable they are. You know, it's something in in some cases it can be very organized and and be you know where where they're I's not just to steal the vehicle and then use it for another crime, or use it, you know, just to get somewhere, or even just doing it for fun. You know, in some cases these are very organized groups of individuals that are you know, immediately felling the cars and then taking them to another location so they can be chopped up, so to speak, or
or you know, hidden or or whatever the case may be. Do the bad guys have the technology excuse me, to be in proximity to a car and a person can approach their car and open their door with a keyfob and they can clone that infrared signal. Do they have the ability to have a receptor that that that that collects that data and they're able to to make a key that can get into that car later on when they return. You know,
that is a good question. I'm not entirely sure. I would imagine that there's some sort of technology, uh like that that exists out there. I can't speak to if we've seen that specifically kind of as a trend or in cases, but you know, quite frankly, it wouldn't It would not shock me. This is Jesse Carr from the Dallas Police Department. We're talking about thefts as car thefts have been on the rise and things like that.
I would like to ask, and this might be a tough question. I don't want to put you on the spot or anything, but what other things get stolen? Like what are some things that are common that you are hot items? Is it gum at the convenience store? What is getting stolen out there? Well, you know, it kind of depends. I mean, I definitely you know, these vehicles are are are one of our top top deats. I mean, obviously time of the year you'll see packages and you'll
have porches pirate situations with packages being stolen. Vehicle burglaries are also a big thing, you know, which is where we get more into encouraging people to park in well at areas, keep their doors locked, keep their valuables out of sight, do not leave valuables in their vehicle, especially for the love of God, do not leave firearms. Because vehicle burglary is is It's just it's another kind of opportunity. And that's you know, something that that we
see fairly often as well. Have you ever had a call from a complaintant that said that their TIFFs treats were stolen from their porch and later on you found out that the culprit was a possum. Uh, you know, I'm not entirely sure if we have, but it sounds like maybe you might never report we've seen the video. I don't know if you've seen the wild internet
meme about the possum stealing cookies. Jess. You guys gonna send anybody up to Plano to crack some skulls about all the do doo that got released down in a white Rock lake because of that manhole. Oh man, you know, not not my place to comment on what a no come on rip plan? Oh all right, man, Jesse Carr, thank you so much for the Dallas Police Department. I was fascinated by that story. Again, multiple cars got stolen at my brother's building. I know, you know a handful
of people who I don't know. I feel like maybe you hear a little more often. But we wanted to shed a little light on the I guess technology that people are using and uh, what people can do to kind of prevent it from happening from them. So appreciate your time, man, Thank you so much. Yeah, thank y'all, and go Maverick, Yeah and go stars. Thank you. Jesse. Yeah, thank god, there he goes, oh, cool, dude, cool da Did you know him? No? Really? No, great, right on the air too. Yeah,
he kind of like it felt like you knew him. No, like he was super like chill. It's his job to comfort the people of Dallas with his voice. I don't know. I thought that's pretty interesting. Yeah, interesting, And we should have him on again for other things that pop up. If we can just keep that connection because it has the email, it's kind of fun. Yeah. We should promote what's happening Tuesday night. We haven't done that yet. Today. This segment with Jesse car there was
brought to you by Animal Draft House Cinema. Yeah, they probably didn't know that they were partnering up with the Dallas Police Dallas Police Department spokesperson. But gone in sixty seconds. So a great movie cage. Yes, not the one we're watching. Not the one we're watching Tuesday. We're gonna go comedy on Tuesday with step Brothers Alimo Draft House in the Cedars and you can get your tickets for seven dollars right now at ninety seven one the Freak dot com
and we want you to get in there. They here's what happened that we filled up the little one yep or one of the normal theater theater, and they moved us to a big one, and we want to make sure that we look like we're doing our job. Yeah, so there, it's probably not even half full, but like like you said, the previous theater was just about full and they put us in this big boy. So three huge rows got open behind us. Uh so yeah, there's a lot of tickets
available, but please get them today. Man, let's start turning these white dots into gray dots showing that people are getting those seats. So Step Brothers seven o'clock Tuesday at the Cedars Alamo Draft House location. Tickets are only seven seven dollars seven bucks. Dude, that's cheaper than you would pay for a matine for a film that's out right now. Yeah, and you get to
see Step Brothers, which is a laugh a minute. Yeah, and if you bring your samurai sword Daniel autographic, I will, I will, I'll bring my sharpee to autograph your samurai sword. Amazing. Please someone do that Chewbacca mask or whatever, probably going to tackle you as you try to walk in with a Samurai s hord, but not it'd be so weird. You know, you'll probably make it all the way. You know what, don't bring a samurai s hord. Yeah, don't don't bring any weapons whatsoever.
So obviously, like I've known for about a week or two, you know that it was we were leaning towards step brothers and that was probably, but you know, we always wait and make sure it's official and brows pass it on TV. The other day I stopped and watched for thirty seconds and I told myself, like, no detox, yeah, because you want to like
it's great. Yeah, it was to say, there in the bedroom and John c Riley's just wearing the Chewbacco mask for no reason, sitting up, sitting up on his bed, like it's so fun and like movies are funnier when there's a big group of people. Wait, no, no, like that's the one with the balls on the drum kit. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, you're gonna get that. I haven't seen it in ten years. I can't wait for me. So get a get your lady, or get a group of dudes or a group of ladies if you like, and
get a few tickets to this seven bucks of pop Man next Tuesday. We're gonna have a good damn time house and talks together. Parking lot will be great hot box before you come in. I think the MAVs play late that night, so like you'll have time to go home and watch the MAVs late if you want, if you care about that game, and it will be
a I think a road game in Sacramento. But you know at night, you know, so we'll uh, we'll get the movie going around seven ish Alma Draft House in the Seedars. Tickets for at ninety seven one in the freak dot com go. You'll see our faces on there. Click on it. It's just seven bucks. Uh. And we'll always hang out before the show and have a little cocktail and things like that as well. Also tomorrow Skin showing the speakeas. You're gonna be at Rock and Bruise up in the
colony. I think I'm doing four to six with the Speakeasy. I'm doing a little time, a whole time in half. Why I think Julie's got to take off halfway through the show. I think halfway through the show half Yeah, But Rock and Bruce tomorrow, all the TV's in the world, apparently, I've heard good things about Rock and this weekend. Okay, amazing
place for college basketball. Hell yeah, perfect. The double remote action tomorrow as well coming up next boy, the birthdays have a couple of special surprises in them. Today Mike got one spoiled for him out in the hall by Christina. There to Go, but there's another surprise as well as the talkbacks, Mine Lord, I'm still shuffling through them because you've set so much gold. We'll check that all out next night on the first