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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Police Department
Mike Ceynowa, Chief of Police
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
DATE: 5/15/2014
SUBJECT: Vehicle Prowl Prevention
BY: DPD Public Information Officer Jim Hansen (218) 390-2232
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Vehicle Prowl Prevention
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 5/15/2014
INCIDENT TIME:
INCIDENT LOCATION: Duluth, MN
SUBJECT: Vehicle Prowl Prevention
BY: DPD Public Information Officer Jim Hansen (218) 390-2232
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Vehicle Prowl Prevention
CASE NO.:
INCIDENT DATE: 5/15/2014
INCIDENT TIME:
INCIDENT LOCATION: Duluth, MN
As warm weather approaches and outdoor recreation increases, the opportunity for vehicle prowlers targeting our park and trailhead parking lots substantially increases. The victim is impacted by the diminished sense of safety as well as the financial loss associated with stolen credit cards, electronics, and other valuables. The community is impacted by the subsequent check and credit card fraud and other crimes that stem from this.
Vehicle prowling is a crime of opportunity. Most often, the prowlers go in a vehicle after they simply look in a window and see something that appears to be of value. Unfortunately, people routinely create this opportunity by leaving backpacks, wallets, phones, etc. in their vehicles.
Vehicle Prowl Prevention:
Vehicle prowls are one of the easiest crimes to prevent. The following measures will reduce the chances of being the target of a vehicle prowl and substantially reduce or eliminate the associated property loss and inconvenience.
- Keep the interior of you vehicle clean. Never leave valuables, including bags, purses, wallets, briefcases, laptops, cell phones, loose change, or anything that may appear valuable in plain view.
- Don’t store or leave credit cards, keys, money, checks, identification or personal information in the glove box, console, or anywhere in your car.
- If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, lock them in your trunk before you get to your destination.
- Before leaving your vehicle parked, always remove the keys, roll up the windows, and lock the doors.
- Park your vehicle in a well-lit, busy, open area. Avoid parking near anything that limits visibility like dumpsters, large trucks, or wooded areas.
