Track Town USA Attracts Large Crowds and Thieves

June 20, 2012, 12:06 am

The U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials start Thursday in Eugene, otherwise known as Track Town, U.S.A.  The event will be very popular, with thousands of people expected at Hayward Field everyday.  That has police worried.  Eugene Community Service Officer Kelly Putnam says the area around the venue will be a target rich environment for car prowlers, but in 2008 when the city hosted the event, there was actually a spike in property crimes in other neighborhoods.  Putnam says thieves hit those areas, thinking all the officers would be tied up with the event.  She says that isn't the case and both the University area and the rest of the city will be well covered by police.
According to police, there were 83 burglaries, 119 thefts and 59 stolen vehicles during the two week period of the event in 2008.  Putnam doesn't want that to happen so she has some advice.  She says if you're driving down for the event, don't bring anything valuable with you.  She adds that if you do need to bring a computer or GPS with you, don't leave it in your car.

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