Amid a recent spike in vehicle thefts across the territory, police are warning residents to use caution.
“A significant number of these incidents have been attributed to vehicles being left unlocked and, in many cases, with the keys inside,” police said in a Friday statement. “This practice not only increases the risk of theft but also creates a general environment that encourages opportunistic crimes.”
They added that some rental companies instruct patrons to return vehicles by leaving keys in unlocked cars.
“This leaves vehicles vulnerable for extended periods, creating an attractive target for thieves,” the statement added.
New campaign
In response to the recent thefts, police are launching a campaign themed “Park It, Lock It, Forget It.”
As part of that effort, they are urging residents to lock their vehicles, avoid leaving valuables in sight, park in well-lit areas, and consider installing anti-theft devices like alarms or steering-wheel locks. GPS trackers, they stated, add extra protection.
Rental companies, meanwhile, are urged to take similar steps, as well as educating clients, retrieving vehicles directly, and establishing secure systems for returning vehicle keys, such as coded drop boxes in monitored areas.
To report suspicious activity or information regarding vehicle thefts, call the police Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-8477 (TIPS) locally or 284-800-8477 from overseas.
