Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Community police officer Michael Lloyd needs just about 15 minutes to find what he calls a gold mine for a criminal at Harrison Park.

"It wouldn't take long to break a window out, " Lloyd said. "There's a GPS and two cell phones in it."

Lloyd found electronics, purses and other valuables in plain sight in about half of the vehicles parked in the area.

"It's a crime of opportunity," said Lloyd. "There's a really low chance of getting caught."

Community policing monitors crime trends. One of their maps shows the hot spots for car larceny: the malls, downtown and Harrison Park. Lloyd says in the last couple of weeks, the number of car break ins here has jumped by 15.

Markita Addison was walking when Officer Lloyd explained to her what he was monitoring . She was embarrassed that her cell phone was lying right there in the cup holder, and her purse is on the backseat where anyone can see. After talking with Lloyd, Addison moved her purse and cell phone out of sight.

'"It never crossed my mind, but now I see it's important to hide your stuff because people will break in and take your personal belongings," said Addison.

Lloyd is doing his best to educate people by leaving flyers on their windshield, hoping to prevent another crime.

Lloyd asks that everyone hide their valuables in their trunk before leaving home and don't forget to hide your garage door opener.

For more stories, helpful tips and to follow crime in your neighborhood, check out our new Crimetracker page.