Over the past several months, there has been a dramatic increase in automobile thefts throughout the Greater Cleveland area. Theft rings have been targeting neighborhoods by traveling in a transport vehicle and then canvassing the area for unlocked cars. In addition to the car and any valuables inside, they also look for garage door openers left inside vehicles to gain access to garages for additional vehicles or other valuables.
The common thread in all of these thefts is that they target unlocked vehicles and these incidents occur overnight.
Although Mentor is a very safe community to live in, we all should stay alert and take steps to protect ourselves and our property. Here are a few simple tips:
Lock Your Car Doors
The easiest thing you can do is lock your car door. Automobile theft is a crime of opportunity. If a thief finds that your car has been secured, they will likely move along to an easier target.
Don’t Leave Your Keys in Your Car
Leaving keys and key fobs in your car not only make it easier to steal, but also provides an opportunity for thieves to access your home and other vehicles. Never leave your keys in your car.
Secure Your Valuables
Bring your valuables inside with you. If you leave them in your car, then place them out of view so that they don’t make attractive targets.
Lock Your Garage Entry Door
Thieves that gain access to your car can gain easy access to your garage and your home by utilizing your garage door opener. Be sure to lock the garage entrance to your home. While you’re at it, also make sure all of your first-floor entry doors and windows are secured.
Law enforcement agencies across the region are working together break these rings – and they’re making progress. In the meantime, let’s do what we can to discourage this type of activity in our community by remaining aware and by locking our vehicles.
Also, consider signing up for Operation Scram – the Mentor Police Department Surveillance Camera Registration and Mapping (S.C.R.A.M.) Program which provides an opportunity for residents and business owners to help officers solve local crimes. By registering, you’ll be added to a secured GIS database which will allow Mentor Police to see camera locations on a map near crime. Registration of your video surveillance system DOES NOT grant the Mentor Police Department, or its agents, access to your system. It simply lets law enforcement know the location of these systems in Mentor.