Free Rays' Tickets For Clearwater 'Crime Fighters'

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater area motorists who help prevent crime by locking their vehicle doors and hiding valuables out of sight might just get taken out to the ballpark courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Major League Baseball team and the Clearwater Police Department are joining forces to remind folks of the importance of locking their car doors. Those who are caught by police locking their doors, stowing valuables and taking their keys before they leave their vehicles behind may just receive free vouchers to a Rays’ home game.

“A staggering 82 percent of vehicle burglaries occur in cars that are left unlocked in the city of Clearwater,” the police department explained in an email media. The idea behind the collaboration is to “reward those people who don’t make themselves an easy victim.”

The vouchers are good for four seats to any home game for the rest of the 2016 season at Tropicana Field, the police department said. The multi-week effort kicks off Thursday, May 26.

"We're excited to be on the same team with the Tampa Bay Rays to get this important message out," said Police Chief Dan Slaughter. "It takes just a second to lock your car and keep your valuables inside safe."

Brian Richeson, the Rays’ vice president of ticket sales and marketing, said the team enjoys partnering with Clearwater on community initiatives, such as this one.

“The Lock, Take, Secure program is one of six area police programs, each with the intention of using ticket vouchers to enhance the relationship between officers and the community,” Richeson said.

Police say motorists often leave important valuables behind in unlocked cars, including guns, wallets, purses and laptops. Officers have also encountered thefts where keys have been left inside, making it all too easy for thieves to simply drive away.

"Some vehicle owners make it way too easy for the criminal element to gain access to their cars," Chief Slaughter said. "We need to put a dent in some of these statistics by simply doing the right things - lock your car, take your keys, secure your valuables."

It is unclear just how many vouchers the department has to give away, but the agency said the push to get folks to lock up will continue for a few weeks.

Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Police Department

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