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Saginaw Township Police Department launches “Lock It or Lose It” campaign

Lock It or Lose It
(Photo by Lori Villarreal)

Lock It or Lose It
(Courtesy Photo)

 

2011 marks the first year the Saginaw Township Police Department launches its “Lock It or Lose It” campaign. Wednesday, June 1st, was the official kick-off of a dedicated campaign geared toward encouraging citizens to protect themselves from having valuable items stolen from their vehicles.

The message is simple: remove your valuable items and lock your vehicle. This will greatly reduce the likelihood of having your valuable items stolen and possibly becoming a victim of identity theft.

Each year, especially during the spring and summer months, criminals prey upon citizens right in their own neighborhoods. These criminals often lurk throughout the neighborhoods during nighttime hours while residents are sleeping. As homeowners get ready to go to work and to begin their day, they realize these criminals have entered their cars and stolen their personal belongings.

Last year in Saginaw Township, over 200 vehicles were entered while parked in a driveway or apartment complex parking lot. Valuable items were stolen from these vehicles. Throughout Saginaw County, thieves entered over 650 vehicles and stole items from inside the vehicles. Many of these vehicles were left unlocked making it easy for the criminal to do his work. Already this year, over 50 vehicles have been entered in Saginaw Township and 144 countywide. With the nice weather approaching, thieves are busy walking through subdivisions looking for the unlocked vehicles.

Saginaw Township Crime Prevention Officers have partnered with Higher Image Design, Lamar Advertising, and Saginaw Bay Underwriters Insurance Company to erect billboards to remind citizens to remove valuables and lock their vehicles. These billboards will be displayed in different areas of Saginaw County throughout the summer.

Vehicle larcenies are crimes that can be prevented by simply removing valuables and locking the car’s doors. Items such as laptops, cell phones, GPS devices, and iPods are the most common targets, as well as credit cards, money, and personal identification cards. The criminals will often quickly use the victim’s credit card and may use personal information to commit identity theft crimes.

Citizens are encouraged to call 911 if they see someone acting suspicious in their neighborhood. By working together we can put these thieves out of business.

For additional information on this campaign or other crime prevention programs, please contact the Saginaw Township Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit at 793-2310.

 

 

 

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