It’s become a tired refrain: Multiple cars broken into; some of
them stolen; items of value swiped from the vehicles. Most tiring,
though, is to hear the cops detail how many, if not most, of the
vehicles were left unlocked, often parked in open garages with the
items of value in plain sight in the vehicles.
The most recent examples happened May 15. Thirteen cars in
Castle Pines North were hit.
Including the stolen vehicles, $118,000 in property was taken –
golf clubs, laptop computers, compact discs, stereos and other
items were among that property.
Some people had even left their spare keys in the
vehicles.
Every vehicle was unlocked, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
said.
Imagine, if you will, being a deputy who is called to
investigate these crimes. Time and time again, that deputy has to
tell an agitated person that he or she should have locked the car,
should have closed the garage door, should not have left valuables
in sight.
In other metro area communities, reports of crime are on the
rise, as is to be expected during economic downturns. The same
could be true here.
Even if it isn’t, though, living as if it is true is not a bad
way to live. We certainly do not suggest that one live fear that he
might become a victim of crime. However, living every day with an
eye on trying to save oneself from becoming a victim is not a bad
way to live.
It’s simple, really. Lock car doors. Close garage doors. Hide
valuables. You get the idea.
Police will tell anyone who asks that we all can have a
significant impact on crime levels simply by taking precautions to
make sure we don’t become victims.
It’s likely that the folks whose cars were “broken into” or
stolen in Castle Pines North probably wish they had taken those
common-sense measures. It’s too late now, though.