Look for Calendar in Section B
NOVEMBER 22, 2023 • Vol. 16, No. 25
0288-2343
Enrollment down in Michigan, tuition going up
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK AND MARK VEST kpentiuk@candgnews.com mvest@candgnews.com
See ENROLLMENT on page 8A
File photos by Patricia O’Blenes
Hills police offer tips amid rising vehicle thefts BY MARK VEST mvest@candgnews.com
FARMINGTON HILLS — After having 53 auto thefts reported in 2020, the Farmington Hills Police Department saw a big jump the following year. “In 2021 is where we really saw a significant increase in thefts — went up to 91 for the year,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King. “In ‘22 it rose to 132, and then in ‘23, as of Oct. 16, which if it continues at that pace … it would be 139 for the year.”
King said there are a multitude of factors for the increase in automobile thefts. He said community awareness crime prevention programs were affected by the pandemic. However, there is another reason that is likely playing an even bigger role. “Because of the key fobs,” King said. “They transitioned from being able to try to capture that signal from that key fob, and they basically harness that signal that a key fob sends to the registered car. They steal that, they recreate it, and then they get into that vehicle at a later time. That has significantly increased
some of the car thefts, specifically.” According to a report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicle thefts have been on the rise in the United States. The NICB is the insurance industry’s notfor-profit association dedicated to predicting, preventing and prosecuting insurance crime, according to the release. The release states that nearly 500,000 vehicles were reported stolen nationwide in the first half of 2023, which is an increase of more than 2% from the first half of last year.
See THEFTS on page 18A
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METRO DETROIT — It’s no secret that college enrollment rates have declined since the COVID-19 pandemic. But while enrollment has been down, costs have been up, and local universities and community colleges have reported tuition increases. Oakland Community College has five campuses, which are located in Southfield, Royal Oak, Auburn Hills, Waterford and Farmington Hills. OCC Chancellor Peter Provenzano said there are currently about 21,900 students enrolled for the year, compared to approximately 24,400 five years ago. “Tuition costs have increased about 13% over the last five years, and then enrollment has decreased by about 10% over the last five years,” Provenzano said.
With automobile thefts reportedly on the rise, Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King recently shared tips for residents. One tip for residents is to make sure that their vehicles are locked.