Lake Forest Fall Dialogue 2017 Fall 2017 | страница 6

Family Education Don’t Make it Easy: How to Prevent Auto Theft and Auto Burglaries The Lake Forest Police want to remind all residents to help stop crimes of opportunity in our community. During the last year, Lake Forest and surrounding communities have suffered a rash of car thefts and auto burglaries. Lake Forest residents have reported 21 vehicles stolen and 47 vehicles burglarized from June 2016 to June 2017. All of these crimes had three things in common: 1. The cars were left unlocked in the driveway. 2. Keys or key fobs were left in the cars. 3. Something worth stealing was left in the car. It takes less than 30 seconds to break into a car, grab what is in plain view, check the usual hiding places for other items, and get away. How long would it take for someone to steal your car when you leave the keys or key fob in the in the center console of the car? Even less time. Car thefts and auto burglary prevention, like all crime prevention, involves limiting the criminal’s ability and/or opportunity to commit the crime. Vehicle theft is more often a crime of opportunity, where thieves look for open doors and windows to search vehicles for valuables. Statistics show that would-be thieves will move on to another vehicle if your doors and windows are locked. With very little time and effort, you can make a huge dif- ference in your vulnerability to auto burglary and theft by taking these simple steps: • Don’t keep items of value in plain sight or take them out of the vehicle completely: cell phones, cameras, comput- ers, wallets, purses, vehicle titles, etc. Thieves can sell your stuff for money and can get a lot of personal information from you about your home, family and friends. • Make sure your car windows and doors are locked, even the trunk. Offenders will try to enter vehicles through open doors or trunks that have not been properly closed. • Don’t leave your keys or key fob inside the car. Thieves can not only steal your car, they will also have access to your home. PAGE 6 Tradition Philanthropy It only takes seconds to steal your car or steal your stuff! It’s not at all uncommon for thieves to walk down a neighborhood at night or down a row of parked ve- hicles at the mall and check vehicle doors to see if they are unlocked. Citizens Police Academy Engaging and Educating the community since 1998 Come join the Lake Forest Police Department beginning Wednesday, September 27 from 7-10 p.m. for the Citizens Police Academy. This free 10-week course open to anyone who lives or works in the City of Lake Forest. This program is run by your Lake Forest Police Department with the goal of informing citizens about police functions and giving insight into police actions. All classes are taught by Lake Forest Police Officers and cover various topics, including: - - - - - - Traffic accidents DUI enforcement Major Crime Investigations Defensive Tactics SWAT and Riot Control and much more! CPA participants will also be given the opportunity to ride with a police officer during the daily patrols and fire patrol rifles and handguns in the Lake Forest PD shooting range. Please contact Officer Aaron Kruchko to register at kruch- [email protected] or 847.234.2601. Space is limited.