Unattended, Running Cars Will Be Ticketed Broadview Police Chief Warns

(Broadview, IL) – Following a string of auto thefts, the Village of Broadview’s Police Chief and Mayor are notifying Broadview’s residents that unattended, running vehicles with keys inside – after a first warning – will be ticketed.

At the regular Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, November 21, Police Chief Thomas Mills told the village board that he had issued an order to his officers that when they observe unattended, running vehicles with keys inside they will knock on a resident’s door and issue a warning, but they will issue ticket on a second incident.

“We had three cars stolen already this week that were left unattended with the engine running and the keys inside,” said Mills. “Therefore, I have instructed officers on patrol that if they observe a car running with keys inside that they are to knock on a resident’s door first and alert them, and if officers see it again, the officers will issue a ticket, which is $50.”

Mills noted that Illinois state law prohibits the practice of leaving a motor vehicle unattended and running with keys inside, but does not apply to vehicles with remote starters.

“While the Broadview Police Department wants to avoid imposing any financial burdens on residents, a $50 ticket is less painful than the loss of a $20,000 or $30,000 vehicle,” said Mills.

Most stolen cars are being used in violent crimes.

“Most of these stolen vehicles are being used around our town and other nearby towns for violent crimes,” said Mills. “Cracking down on auto thefts helps stop violent crime, too.”

Mayor backs Mills’ decision.

“If residents want the Broadview Police Department to fight crime, then you have to help officers, and that includes not allowing your car to idle, unoccupied, with keys inside,” said Mayor Katrina Thompson. “Therefore, I support Chief Mills’ decision one-hundred percent to ticket offenders after a first warning.”

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