Lock it Up to Help Curb Auto Burglaries, Cops Say

The St. Petersburg Police Department estimates that 90 percent of all auto burglaries occur in unlocked vehicles.

That’s why they’re out in force, working to remind residents they can do their part to take a bite out of crime. Officers intended to walk door-to-door Tuesday to hand out information on auto burglary prevention and also have an automated call scheduled to go out to residents, an email from the department said.

Here’s the text of the call’s message officers are hoping residents will take to heart:

“This is a public safety alert from the St. Petersburg Police Department. We’ve seen an increase in car burglaries in your neighborhood. Almost all of the cases involved cars left unlocked. Please lock your car doors and keep valuables out of sight, especially between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Call police if you see anyone suspicious in your neighborhood.”

St. Pete police have been dealing with a rash of auto burglaries over the summer. On one recent weekend, they received more than 20 calls about break ins. Police say the majority of burglaries are attributed to several groups of kids who roam around, looking for unlocked cars. The department made 71 arrests for auto burglary in July.

See Also: Rash of Auto Burglaries Reported Over the Weekend