How to avoid car break-ins

By Alyse Hartdegen

Within the past month, four car break-ins have been reported along highway 280. Each car was unlocked and parked in a neighborhood. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports these incidents as evidence of a rise in felony car burglaries across the county.

Due to the recent increase in break-ins, the Sheriff’s Office encourages residents of Shelby County to take extra care in keeping their valuables safe. U-M Police Chief Chadd Adams also cautions UM residents to guard against these “crimes of opportunity.”

“You’ve got a lot of people who don’t want to work, and don’t want to go out and go to school. The easiest way for them to come across money is to break in and steal things,” explains Adams.

Some students are more nervous about burglary than others. 

Items are more likely to be stolen if they are
visible through a window or door.

“I am nervous... I came from a really rural area where we don’t have to deal with anything being broken into,” says Emily Phillips, a student at Montevallo.

Marquel Brown, a student of the University, explained why he isn't worried about locking his car.

"Sometimes I just forget, most of the time I just don't worry about it. I don't really keep anything valuable in my car."

Another student, Tianna Hill, considered locking her car a priority.

"I'm not scared around this neighborhood, it's just something I do."

UMPD, as well as the Shelby County Sheriff’s office, have a few helpful tips to help keep your car safe:

1)      Don’t leave valuable items in plain sight.

2)      Park in well-lit areas, especially around other cars. 

3)      Lock your doors.

To find more tips on how to protect your property, visit UMPD's websites, or the Shelby County Sheriff Office’s website