Monday was my nieces b-day party with her friends. Both my bro-in-law and sister were home at the time. They ALWAYS lock their car, but this time because my bro-in-law had a bunch of pizzas he brough back, he forgot to lock up, and for some reason so did my sister. They didn't notice it till the next day, his car door was partially open and items including an i-pod and some adaptor for playing music through the tape deck were stolen. another i-pod was stolen out of my sisters car. She filed a report with the sheriffs office when they both noticed the items missing.

 

This is unbelieveable!! She's been in this house since 99 and barely ever a problem. Now this. Items stolen in the middle of a b-day party. Cripes, I always lock my own car. I know there have been a few times were I didn't lock it (it's manual locks) because I figured I would be back out later with a handful of items. You just can't trust this area. People are getting too desperate. For all I know it could have been some neighborhood kids...I mean come on, who steals a cassette tape adaptor? Regardless...This is Bullsh**! 

Even more dangerous. People leave their cars in the driveway (lock or unlocked), and also leave the garage door opening in the car. When the bandits break into the car, they have an easy way to enter the home, through the garage.

Never leave your garage door opening in your car if you park it in the driveway or street.

This is just uncalled for!! My sister swore she locked it earlier this week. It must be a sticking lock or someone managed to unlock it. Because ONCE again someone got into her car. Yes AGAIN! Nothing was taken this time but she found the car unlocked and the center console was open. Somone was rumaging through the item in there and the door was only partially closed. It must've happened at night again because she didn't notice till the next morning. Now i'm just being a little too weary. I'm over her house sometimes twice a week. I'm alwys going outside for a smoke and tend tp just sit out there sometimes. I'm watching the block for anything suspicious.

There is a neighborhood watch sign on her street. I'm just wondering if she actually has to "Sign up" for her to offically be on the NW. There is WAY too much burglarizing going around these days. This is NOT the Lehigh I remember. Bullsh**!!

These are desperate times and desperate people do desperate things. That does not count the regular thieves that roam our community.

The Sheriff''s office is applying maximun effort to control this situation. As citizens (I am a 25 year resident of Lehigh Acres) we must assume some responsibility. Part of that responsibility is to lock things up. Lock your car everytime you get out of it. Lock your house even when you are in it. Securely lock the door from the garage into the house, particularly if you use a remote control to open the garage.

Remove or hide things from view in your care so that no one is tempted to break in to steal.

You do not have to be a member of a Neighborhood Watch for the community to watch over your home. It is a good idea to contact the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator in your community and let them know that you would like them to watch your home as well. It would be a good idea to let them know that you are willing to reciprocate.

If you do not know who the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator is in your community contact Larry Gutridge, the Crime Prevention Practitioner for the Lehigh Area and he will tell you. He can be reached at 477-1802