(Lexington Police Dept)–With colder weather and the holiday shopping season approaching, the Lexington Police Department is reminding everyone to take precautions to avoid being a victim of auto thefts or thefts from vehicles.  Please remember many of these larceny crimes are committed by opportunistic criminals when people are careless or distracted.

Below are some considerations to help minimize your chances of becoming a victim of auto related crimes:

Lock your doors:  Many criminals are looking for unlocked doors, which makes for an easy target.  Many will move past locked vehicles until they find one not locked.

Don’t leave keys or key fobs in your car:  If the key fob is anywhere in the car, the car will start. Criminals know this and will immediately try the ignition when they get into a car.  They will also search glove boxes, under floor mats and over visors for spare keys.  Even if your vehicle is eventually located, the price to replace key fob entry systems or locking mechanisms can be extremely high.

Don’t leave cars running unattended: Many vehicles are stolen while warming up in the driveway of a home or when someone leaves them running to go into a gas a station.  This is also a violation of RCO 18-111.1.

Don’t leave valuables in your car:  Leaving electronics, computers or expensive items visible in a vehicle creates a criminal opportunity.  Take valuables in at night and store items in the trunk if you have to leave them in the car while you go inside somewhere. Never leave firearms unsecured in your vehicle.

Be aware of your surroundings:  Watch for people or vehicles in your neighborhood that look out of place or suspicious. Park your vehicle in well-lit areas when possible, and call the police if you see someone in the area that appears to be suspicious.  If you observe criminal activity, try to get good descriptions, license plates etc.  Observant citizens are often our most valuable leads when criminal activity occurs.