Pocatello police receive more calls about stolen vehicles

It was a busy weekend for the Pocatello Police Department. It responded to 226 calls for service. That’s a huge increase compared with previous weekends.

Pocatello police said they usually see an increase in calls with spring and warmer weather. They also different types of calls or crimes coming in.

Half of the calls from the past weekend were stolen vehicles, which police said is common this time of year. Police said they see this a lot because people leave their cars unlocked or their windows down. They also see a lot of keys left in ignitions.

Police also said during the summer, they tend to see the number of service calls go down because Idaho State University is out, reducing the city’s population quite a bit.

Even with the decrease in calls for the summer, they get different types of calls, Dianne Brush, community services specialist with Pocatello police, said.

Brush said police tend to get more juvenile problem calls or prank calls during the summer. She also reminds juveniles and their parents that city curfew is midnight.

Brush also said police are reminding people to be cautious and don’t make it easy for thieves.

Brush said don’t leave garage doors open, even if you’re working just out back; lock all house doors; and keep your cars secure.

“More people are out and about and walking around and they just walk by and check every car door they come across, and if you leave anything of a value in an unlocked car, it’s probably going to get taken,” Brush said.

Police also said they received more than 200 other calls regarding a man in a wheelchair near 4th and Benton streets. They said he covers his head with a blanket. Police want the public to know they are aware of him. He has refused any sort of help, but police know about him and so they said there’s no need to call dispatch.