Lock it or lose it

Most nightwalkers are upstanding citizens out to enjoy the peace and quiet of an evening stroll. However, some nightwalkers are opportunists looking to take advantage of an innocent mistake, as in a car door left unlocked. Stock photo from Canvas

by Chief of Police Johnnie Torres, Jr.

Like most of us, I am looking forward to spring. What I am not looking forward to is the increase in crime often associated with warmer weather. One such crime is the breaking and entering of vehicles. With comfortable temperatures comes increased foot traffic in the Village. Most nightwalkers are upstanding citizens out to enjoy the peace and quiet of an evening stroll. However, some nightwalkers are opportunists looking to take advantage of an innocent mistake, as in a car door left unlocked.

One of the most common complaints to police agencies involves theft from parked automobiles. According to the U.S. Department of Justice statistics, larcenies from automobiles make up about 36 percent of all reported larcenies. Although the total dollar value of stolen property in these crimes is generally low, the amount of police resources required to investigate these crimes is considerable. These crimes also increase resident fears that their community is unsafe. This is untrue, of course, but fears are not necessarily rooted in reality.

The Stockbridge Police Department has taken many of these complaints over the years, and I cannot recall a single incident in which the perpetrator actually damaged the car via a broken window, pried door, etc. Rather, the door was simply opened and the property was taken, as in loose change in the ashtray, cell phones or other electronic equipment.

Please remember to lock your cars and your homes. Gone are the days when a resident could leave everything unlocked. We all must remain vigilant to lower our chances of becoming a victim. Here are some tips to help decrease the odds of your vehicle having something stolen:

1. Lock the doors. Even if just going in for gas or a pop. It takes only a few seconds to become a victim.
2. Increase lighting around your home or driveway.
3. Keep valuables out of sight or stored in compartments. Criminals look inside your vehicle for valuable items.
4. Completely close windows and sunroofs.

In taking these few simple, preventive measures, you can make the future warm-weather nights more enjoyable and feel secure knowing you have substantially decreased the likelihood that your car may be broken into as you sleep or enjoy time away. Don’t become a victim. Lock it or lose it!

Be vigilant, be safe.

Chief Torres, a native of Flint, began his career as a reserve police officer before joining the City of Lansing Police where he served for more than 14 years. He joined the Stockbridge Police Department in 2009 and became its chief in 2011. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint and is married with two adult children.