CMPD reminds park goers to keep valuables in car out of sight

Charlotte-Mecklengburg Police are reminding park goers to keep valuables locked in a car out of sight during this busy summer season.

Officers plan to spend this weekend at Park Road Park handing out flyers with reminders so drivers' cars won't become the target of thieves.

Lt. Travis Pardue notes valuables such as cell phones and other electronics, along with purses are hot items and can be snatched in seconds.

"People just get too comfortable leaving these things in their car," Pardue said. ""We see crime prevention as one of our constant challenges and messages."

Pardue points out car break-ins are one of the most common crimes. CMPD crime stats from 2012 show there were more than 8,000 reported car break-in cases.

But crime prevention tactics such as signage, banners and face to face contact by officers with drivers seems to be paying off pretty well. At one area of Park Road Park there have been no reported car break-ins in the last several months and three at the tennis courts. "It's sort of a penny business now..we're trying to find those locations now where our presence makes the most difference and this is one of them," Pardue said.

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