POLICE TIPS Use common sense to stop thefts from cars

Police offer suggestions on how to make thefts from automobiles less likely.
BOARDMAN -- With holiday shopping at its height, police are warning residents about car break-ins at store parking lots, especially if gifts or other valuables are left in plain view.
"Every year at this time, I feel a need to warn people to lock their cars and put their valuables in the trunk while shopping," Officer Kim Kotheimer said. "Leaving a bag of gifts in your car would be about the same as putting a $100 bill on the dashboard. Don't even leave change in your car because someone might break in and steal it."
Kotheimer released a list of suggestions Thursday to help people avoid thefts from their vehicles. He said the number of such incidents tends to increase between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year.
He said Boardman police investigated 27 vehicle burglaries in November, mostly involving thefts of such items as compact disc players, laptop computers, wallets and purses.
As of Thursday, with about two weeks of shopping before Christmas, police have investigated about eight vehicle break-ins. In most of the incidents, compact disc players or audio systems were taken, he said.
Tips
The Boardman Police Department has the following tips to help prevent this crime of opportunity:
UAnything of value should be taken with you, placed under the seats or locked in the trunk.
UNever leave keys inside the vehicle.
UCover CD players, cassette players and stereos with a towel or piece of clothing or remove these items, if possible, and place them in your locked trunk.
UAlways lock your vehicle and trunk.
UPark in well-lighted areas, both in parking lots and at home. Light does deter crime.
UInstall a vehicle alarm and use it.
UCall the police if you see someone suspicious loitering.