According to a January 2025 CBS News Texas report, auto thefts were up in the spring and summer of 2024. The FWPD data showed a 4.1% increase in vehicle theft from May to October versus the same period the year prior- though this information likely comes as no surprise to multifamily property management in the area. Texas apartment communities are frequent and favored targets for vehicle and parts thieves, making protecting resident vehicles and parking areas an ongoing challenge.
In this Arrest of the Month video, our team of sharp-eyed monitoring specialists spotted a group behaving suspiciously in the parking lot of a Texas apartment community. Watch the video below to see what happened:
Just before 1:00 am, our team of security professionals monitoring a Texas apartment community’s parking lot observed 2 vehicles and 8 individuals behaving suspiciously. A closer look revealed the group was stealing wheels from another vehicle. Local police dispatch was immediately contacted due to the nature of the activity. Responding officers quickly arrived on scene and located the suspects with help from monitoring staff, taking them into custody.
Vehicle and Parts Theft Remains Ongoing Challenge for Texas Apartment Communities
Last year, the United States witnessed an unprecedented surge in vehicle thefts, surpassing one million incidents, the highest record since 2019. This escalation is particularly alarming for Texas, which ranks second nationwide in the number of stolen vehicles. These trends pose obvious challenges and safety implications for property managers across Texas multifamily communities, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
In Texas, the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area ranks as the fourth highest among major U.S. cities for vehicle thefts, experiencing a 7% increase from 2022 to 2023. Similarly, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area stands fifth, with a concerning 13% rise in auto theft incidents, totaling 34,000 last year. These troubling statistics not only highlight the growing issue of auto theft but also stress the potential risks to resident safety and property security.
For property owners and managers in Texas multifamily communities, these figures emphasize the importance of implementing proactive security strategies to protect residents and their properties. The increase in vehicle theft underscores the need for a strengthened, diversified approach to security-, potentially integrating advanced surveillance systems, improved lighting, secure parking solutions, and community awareness programs. Addressing these security concerns effectively can help mitigate risks, enhance resident safety, and safeguard property values in the face of rising crime rates- prioritizing investment in community security can result in significant positive ROI.
A Proactive Security Solution for Apartment Communities Facing Complex Challenges
Live video monitoring represents a strategic investment in the overall security of your property, residents, and staff while delivering superior protection. Our AI-powered surveillance system doesn’t just record – it helps actively deter criminals and speeds up police response through instant incident verification.
For multifamily properties facing vehicle theft and break-ins, this technology is a game-changer. When suspicious activity occurs, our monitoring team immediately alerts law enforcement- as seen in the video above, and dozens more examples can be found here. This heightened security does more than protect residents – it boosts their confidence and satisfaction, often leading to higher rental rates and lower vacancy rates.
The bottom line? Better security means better business. Property managers who invest in proactive monitoring not only protect against burglary, theft, and trespassing – they strengthen their property’s market position and ROI.
Looking to upgrade your property’s security strategy? Contact us today and speak with one of our security specialists for details on how to improve security outcomes at your properties.
