The Lexington Division of Police is continuing to remind citizens to protect and secure their vehicles and their property, according to a press release issued Thursday. This latest reminder comes on the heels of an increase in car thefts, in which keys were left in an unattended or unoccupied vehicles.
During the past month, the Division of Police has received more than 80 reports of cars being stolen – thirty of those reports involved cases where keys were left in a vehicle. This poses a multi-faceted threat to victims, as suspects may now have access to the victim’s homes, businesses and other valued properties.
Police spokeswoman Sherelle Roberts said there wasn’t an area of concentration where the car thefts were happening and that this was a city-wide occurrence.
The Division of Police is again reminding residents that car break-ins and car thefts are increasing. Officers urge citizens to take the following steps to help reduce their chances of becoming a victim:
Lock your doors: Keep windows and sunroofs closed, and doors locked.
Hide your valuables: Keep your belongings out of sight – either in the glove box or locked in the trunk. After you’ve hidden your belongings, don’t forget to hide their presence, such as power plugs, MP3 adapters and GPS suction cup mounts.
Don’t leave keys in the car: Take your keys with you. Do not leave spare keys under the mat, above the visor or in a center console. Thieves know to look there.
Stow your valuables before arrival: Experienced thieves often stake out parking lots to watch for people putting items in their trunk. Help prevent car break-ins by putting valuables, like laptops, messenger bags and electronic devices, into your trunk before you get to the parking lot.
Trust your instincts: If you see suspicious activity, find another spot to park. If you’re concerned, tell the attendant or report your suspicions to police. You may be helping keep another person from being a victim of a car break-in.