Living in a town the size of Columbus can be relaxing — maybe too relaxing, according to Columbus Police Explorers.
To raise public awareness of preventable crimes, 14- to 20-year-old cadets combed the Leigh Mall parking lot Nov. 23 for unlocked vehicles and visible valuables.
Within an hour, cadets found 22 car doors unlocked, 39 vehicles with assorted valuables visible, 23 visible electronic devices and even two vehicles with a handgun in their back seat.
They also found 18 purses left in vehicles, 10 vehicles with cash visible, two with prescription medication visible, three with keys left inside, seven with windows left down or open and four with important papers visible.
When they found a violation of common sense, they wrote a “Gotcha” reminder note to the vehicle owner and stuck it under the windshield.
These people, said Columbus Police Sgt. Rick Jones, who heads the Explorers, are setting themselves up to be victims.
“They”re not thinking,” Jones said. “They”re not aware of what they”re doing.”
That”s why the “Gotcha” detail is important, he added; because it makes people aware of just how unaware they are.
Columbus is plagued with preventable crimes, which include motor vehicle thefts, according to an FBI study earlier this year.
Police Chief Joseph St. John said people could have a “giant impact” on crime rates if they protected themselves more.
“It would really make a difference if people just take a few moments to secure their property,” he added.
Just because Columbus isn”t a major metropolis doesn”t mean people can be naive.
“It happens here, just as well as Memphis, Chicago, Detroit, wherever,” Jones said.
These crimes are usually easy to prevent, said Jones, who recommended taking several common-sense precautions.
“If you have valuables, put them in the trunk,” he urged. “Conceal them. Secure them. Don”t make it easy for the criminals.”
The Explorers will probably have another “Gotcha” detail by the end of the year, Jones said.
Follow these tips from Columbus police to prevent vehicle break-ins:
· Always park your car in well-lighted and populated areas near your destination. If possible, try and park in view of a security camera. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.
· Turn off your engine, roll up all windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway.
· Don”t leave spare keys in your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places. Store spare keys in your wallet.
· Don”t leave your vehicle in an unattended public lot for an extended period time.
· Buy a vehicle with interior hood and truck lock releases. Install a secondary hood lock if your car does not have one.
· Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to break in, move, tilt, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving the vehicle.
· Check your vehicle if you hear the alarm sound but don”t try to stop a person attempting to break in. Get a good description of the person and call 911.
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