March 28, 2024

Keep Your Car & Belongings Safe

car burglaries

A rise in the burglaries of motor vehicles has the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office concerned, and the office wants to remind residents that they can help the police and themselves by being a smaller target for thieves.

Just a few small changes in your daily routine can keep you and your belongings much safer. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has issued a challenge to St. Mary’s residents to practice a few important prevention techniques to help eliminate opportunities for theft in the county.

Every day you should:

  • Lock your vehicle
  • Remove valuable items
  • Park in well-lighted areas

St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron wants citizens to know that by just following those tips, they could stop thieves before they ever have the opportunity to take belongings.

In many ways, an unattended car can be a treasure trove for would-be criminals. An unlocked car might contain purses, cash, change, laptops, and electronic tablets are just the beginning of what we too often leave for criminals to take. Cell phones, music devices and GPS units are also easy fodder, giving thieves something they can either keep for themselves or sell for a profit.

It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings and if you are ever uncomfortable, report any suspicious activity such as unfamiliar persons and/or vehicles in the area. To report suspicious activity, call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 301-475-8008.

Being proactive and reporting a suspicious incident is EXTREMELY HELPFUL – especially during the UPCOMING HOLIDAY SEASON when thefts to motor vehicles traditionally increase.

It’s so easy to spend the day shopping for holiday gifts and then just leave your purchases in the car overnight, but those gifts can be stolen and returned to stores for cash, making them an ideal target for thieves. Be especially careful to keep your purchases out of the car and if you must leave them for a short time, cover them so they are not visible to passersby.

If you believe a crime is in progress, please call 9-1-1.

Don’t be a victim! …. LOCK YOUR CAR, TAKE YOUR KEYS AND REMOVE YOUR BELONGINGS!

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