Boone County Sheriff Michael A. Helmig would like to remind all residents to take the time to ensure your garage doors are closed at night, your vehicle doors are locked and valuable items are placed out-of-sight or taken inside your residence.
The opportunistic thief lurks throughout the county after dark and checks vehicle door handles. One would be surprised at the number of cars and trucks left unlocked every night and perhaps even more so with what is left unsecured in them. Laptops, smartphones, firearms & money are but a few items regularly stolen from those caught in the unsuspecting lull of false security.
There have been cases of those rummaging through vehicles to locate the garage door opener (let’s be honest; they’re all clipped on the sun visor), press the button and then stand by and wait to see if anyone wakes up. Five minutes later when the inside light goes off they walk in like they own the place.
Do you have any idea what your insurance will cover, the deductible, or even the hassle of filing a claim?
It’s a terribly disheartening feeling to wake only to find your house has been burglarized or valuables were taken out of your car…especially if one of those valuables is a loaded firearm. We shouldn’t have to remind you there’s a heck of a responsibility that comes with your right to carry (or stow) concealed.
Consider this: take the time to lock up and it will be one of your neighbors you see standing in the driveway talking to a deputy sheriff about what is missing out of his/her car instead of you while headed off to work.
Some crimes are unpreventable; however, this is truly an opportunistic crime that the public does have an inherent responsibility to help out with.
Boone County Sheriff’s office
