SAFEGUARD YOUR BELONGINGS
Unfortunately, it is necessary to remind our community that, even amid a national public health emergency, there are criminals out there looking to seize on opportunities to take what is yours. Many river valley towns, including Essex, Chester and Haddam, have been experiencing an increase of vehicles being rummaged through and/or stolen during the overnight hours. In most of the cases the doors to the vehicles were unlocked with valuables exposed and, in tone case, a purse was stolen out of an unlocked car and credit cards were used to charge large amounts of purchased goods. These types of crimes are commonly referred to as "crimes of opportunity," as the thief seizes upon the opportunity presented by an unlocked and easily accessible vehicle.
The good news is that you can easily limit these opportunities. It takes only a matter of seconds for thieves to steal your vehicle. Following the three simple steps, "Take your keys, Remove your valuables, Lock your vehicle," is generally all it takes to end a criminal's opportunity to steal or damage your property.
