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Deputies begin auto burglary prevention
By BOB McCLURE
| Article published on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 |
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SEMINOLE – Residents of Seminole who routinely leave their cars unlocked overnight may get a wakeup call from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Community Deputy Beverly Borland told city councilors Feb. 9 that deputies have begun a new vehicle burglary prevention program that targets car owners who habitually leave their cars unlocked.
The proactive program began Jan. 20 in Seminole and Palm Harbor where car burglary reports are above average. The majority of the burglaries involve cars that are unlocked, Borland said.
During nighttime hours, deputies walk from vehicle to vehicle through various neighborhoods. When they find an unlocked car door, they leave a brochure inside and lock the doors.
The brochure advises residents to lock all car doors, close all windows, remove visible items and park in a safe, well-lighted area to prevent car burglaries.
Borland said a total of 736 brochures have been distributed. In Seminole specifically, deputies checked 239 cars on the evening of Feb. 5 and found 51 unlocked.
“In my discussions with the command officers,” said City Manager Frank Edmunds, “we identified certain neighborhoods that have been problems in the past.”
Councilor Patricia Plantamura wondered about the legality of going into residents’ cars without their permission.
“There’s nothing in the statutes that prevents us from doing this,” said Borland. “We’re merely locking the doors. If we do see something illegal inside a car, we will not make an arrest.”
The brochure explains to car owners that deputies are taking extra steps to help them protect their cars and property.
“As a public service, a deputy sheriff left this notice in your car, which was found unlocked, and then locked your car doors,” the brochure advises.
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Article published on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010
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