Park Smart, Leave Your Car Empty
The Baltimore Police Department, Mayor Sheila Dixon and the Downtown Partnership, which promotes city businesses, are launching a public relations campaign to combat car break-ins. Police recently arrested a man who may be responsble for dozens of such crimes, and they came under fire earlier this year when an officer went to the wrong address and didn't respond to a group of scouts whose den leaders' cars were broken into in a downtown garage.
Yesterday, Dixon joined Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III outside the Central District station on East Baltimore Street to ask people to help them by not leaving items in their cars. Bealefeld even sent out cops to take pictures of items seen left in cars parked downtown, and he displayed them at the news conference.
Here is what Dixon had to say:
"It's really simple. There's been a rise in car thefts not only here in Baltimore but you could go to any area in the state, go to Towson, go to Frederick, it doesn't matter where, people are prowling around and looking into your cars. ... Police are patrolling the communities. The Downtown Partnership, their ambassadors are around the area.
"I was at an event. ... I had to speak and the person before me introduced me and talked about how great Baltimore was, but that he was in downtown Baltimore and his car was stolen. So I don't know what made me ask the question, but I did. And I asked the question, 'Were your keys in the car?' Just a little bit jokingly. And he said, 'Yea, I left my keys in the car.' Da, well, it's not that we want somebody to steal your car, but if you leave your keys in your car, you're asking someone to come and steal your car.
"No matter where you park, you have to be conscious of what's in your car. Don't leave your car unlocked, don't leave electronic devices out in the open. Don't leave change in the cup holder or on your dashboard. Don't leave your laptop in your car or even your bag to indicate you have a laptop. Don't leave a bag or a purse. Put your valuables in the trunk of your car or your glove box.
"I think it's important that we all help reduce the number of break-ins around the city. I think this can benefit all of us wherever we are. The police are going to do their part. They are trying to make our lives safer by going after criminals, but I think we all can be vigilant in our efforts. Take a moment and don't make it inviting for people to come and take something from your car."
Added Bealefeld: "This is an issue that affects the quality of life. ... We want to do our part, not just to catch bad guys, because we will, but we want to help in the educational process and increase the level of awareness around this issue. ... There's a larceny from auto in this country every 25 seconds. The mayor outlined basic things that your mother and father told you to be responsible when you got your license. Don't leave things out.
"We did a quick little survey. We went with our guys out around with their cameras to take some photos in the downtown area. We took a photo of an object in a car. It's a fishing rod in the back window of a vehicle that was parked not too far from here. And you say, 'Ah Bealefeld, what's the big deal, a fishing rod.' Well, someone breaks the window out and they got the fishing rod. This is a quick five bucks for someone. And in an instant this is sold. So you say, 'So what, a fishing rod.' But how about, would there be more incentive if someone left a TV set on their seat? Would you break into a car for a TV. Well, maybe it's broken, maybe it's a black and white tv, maybe it's not even digital ready? What if however, you left your purse or bag out on the seat. Is that enough motive? Look, people break into a number of cars and people want the police and the city to do more. We just need people to be responsible. Common sense. Secure your valuables.
"When you take your electronic device out and it's plugged into the cigarette lighter, put the cigarette lighter back in. If you talk to people who break into cars, it's one of the leading things they look for. That cigarette lighter out of that socket, they know you have some sort of digital, electronic device in your car. So just a simple thing as plugging that back in could keep you from being a victim of a crime."
The photos the commissioner held up are being put on the Baltimore Police Department's web site. Here is a news released from Dixon on car break-ins:
Mayor and Police Commissioner Announce Steps to Stop Thefts from Automobiles
Baltimore, MD (February 17, 2009) – Mayor Sheila Dixon was joined by Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld and Kirby Fowler, President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore to announce steps being taken by the Police Department to prevent larceny from automobiles. They also urged residents and visitors to take necessary steps to make them less vulnerable.
“Thefts from cars can happen anywhere in the city, but they are preventable,” said Mayor Dixon. “The police are doing their part to make lives difficult for criminals, but there are things the public can do to reduce their chances of becoming a victim.”In the United States, a car is broken into every 25 seconds. To help reduce the frequency of thefts, the Police Department is engaged in a public education and prevention campaign to prevent car break-ins within the city. Additionally, they have been out to nightly meeting with city residents and visitors to remind them of tips to keep their vehicles and valuables safe.
“We have increased foot patrols in targeted areas, developed a public service announcement and placed over 3,000 flyers on vehicles to remind people to leave their cars empty,” said Commissioner Bealefeld. “When my officers see cars that are vulnerable to break-ins, we give drivers a friendly reminder to properly lock up valuables.”
The Mayor and Commissioner listed a number of steps individuals can take to decrease their chances of being broken into:
- When you leave your car, leave it empty,
- Park your car in an area that is well-lit and near lots of people,
- Keep valuables in your car hidden – Use your trunk,
- Consider buying a visible mechanical locking device to lock the steering wheel, and/or an auto theft alarm system,
- Keep your car registration and insurance card with you instead of in the glove compartment so that thieves cannot produce these documents if stopped by police.
“Break-ins of autos are a big inconvenience and all too common in the city and the suburbs, but they are entirely preventable,” Kirby Fowler, President of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. “For years, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore has worked closely with the Baltimore Police Department to spread the word that ‘when you leave your car, you should leave it empty,’ and we applaud Mayor Dixon and Commissioner Bealefeld for bringing needed attention to this message.”
Comments
Not surprising that in a city like Baltimore, the best idea they have to stop crime is to have a press conference to let victims know all the things that they are doing wrong.
Next they will start telling victims of armed robberies that it's their own fault if they were carrying a wallet.
SSDD
Posted by: John Bowers | February 20, 2009 8:24 AM
I don't see how leaving your car empty is going to solve the problem; the criminal will just break into the car next to you. Sure it's not YOUR car, but it does nothing to address the issue. I've lived all over the city and had my car broken into when it was completely empty, so the talk about leaving it empty detering criminals is a PR smoke screen.
Posted by: John S. | February 27, 2009 7:16 AM
I don't see how leaving your car empty is going to solve the problem; the criminal will just break into the car next to you. Sure it's not YOUR car, but it does nothing to address the issue. I've lived all over the city and had my car broken into when it was completely empty, so the talk about leaving it empty deterring criminals is a PR smoke screen.
Posted by: John S. | February 27, 2009 7:17 AM