Police urge drivers "to strongly consider a certain way to prevent your vehicle from being stolen"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- You've heard about things like 'The Club', car alarms, and remote starters that can protect your car against theft. There are also other ways. Police are reminding drivers of the options available as they note that more than 800 vehicles have been stolen in the city of Milwaukee so far in 2015!

It was a crash that police described as "horrific," and it occurred this past weekend near 84th and Wilbur. Police have charged an 18-year-old man they say was driving a stolen vehicle. A couple was killed just blocks from their home.

This week, a teenage girl was shot on Burleigh while riding in a stolen car. A source tells FOX6 News that same girl was involved in an incident involving a stolen car last August -- in which a group robbed a delivery driver and struck a police officer.

We're two months into 2015, and Milwaukee police say 849 cars have been stolen! That's up from the 719 this time last year. In 2014, a total of 6,657 cars were stolen -- resulting in 885 arrests.

Police say they often find stolen cars ditched after crimes are committed. Frightening? Yes. Infuriating? Yes. Preventable, if you ask police.

"You need to strongly consider a certain way to prevent your vehicle from being stolen. Whether that's a club, installing a kill switch, installing an alarm system, not leaving your keys in while your car is running," said William Singleton with the Milwaukee Police Department.

In October 2014 and January 2015, Milwaukee police partnered with auto dealers to install kill switches into cars free of charge so a car won't start for a thief. More than 300 were installed and there are plans for another program in the near future.

"Most of the people -- this is their only vehicle. The only way they get to work. The only way they move around the city. Their vehicle has been stolen two, three, four times and they don't know what else to do," said Singleton.

Police make arrests, but they say these crimes may be preventable. Car owners can help by making sure their cars aren't a vehicle for more crime.

"It's a tool for the criminals to engage in other crime -- whether it's armed robberies, burglaries, sometimes ultimately homicides or if it's just joy riding and crashing into innocent people. That's what's going on," said Singleton.

Police say they'd like to see tougher sentences for suspects accused of stealing cars, which seems to be becoming, almost a gateway crime.

Related stories: