The Herald-Zeitung

Don’t wait to become a victim in the recent rash of vehicles burglaries.

New Braunfels Police are increasing patrols in several neighborhoods along Interstate 35 because of an increase in these crimes. They are even leaving “report cards” on windshields to remind residents to take their keys, hide belonging and lock the vehicles.

The problem appears to be a false belief that New Braunfels is immune from this kind of crime. Unfortunately, police reports daily include one or more complaints about vehicles being broken into and items missing. As police officers pointed out, transient traffic up and down the interstate increases this community’s exposure to those who apparently do not care about the rights and property of others. Leaving personal items, especially the keys, is just an invitation for someone to break into a car.

So residents can take some simple steps to protect their property and their sense of security:

• Take the keys out of the vehicle. More than 25 percent of stolen vehicles had keys left in them, police report.

• Do not leave personal items such as cell phones and laptops in the vehicle because this creates an opportunity that some crooks just cannot let go. At least hide the items so they are not in plain view.

• Lock the vehicle. This might sound like common sense, but it is easy to forget, especially at home. While most drivers would not hesitate to lock their vehicles in a shopping center parking lot, some would not be so inclined in front of their own homes. Unfortunately, that is where a good percentage of these vehicle burglaries take place.

A few seconds of thoughtful prevention will go a long way toward protecting one’s vehicle, property and safety.