They're urging the community to "Lock It Down, QC"-- a reminder to lock your vehicle whenever you're not in it.
Bettendorf Police Chief Keith Kimball says that's a very effective way to reduce the risk of a car being stolen.
"With the technology and everything with new vehicles, none of these cars are getting hotwired. I can pretty much tell you every single car that's been stolen has been unlocked and there's been access to keys or a key fob. There's no such thing, really, as hotwiring a car anymore."
He says vehicle theft doesn't just impact the owner: it makes the entire community less safe.
"They're driving them around town, they're driving them recklessly, not obeying any traffic laws. They're using them in robberies, shootings, thefts, assaults, you name it. It's a way for them to get some easy mobility and also anonymity."
While auto theft is down in Davenport, the numbers are higher across the Quad Cities. Over 800 vehicles were stolen in 2021.
