Police advise public to guard against car thefts

Police advise public to guard against car thefts

With the start of the summer season, Hawaii Island police advise the public to take precautions against car thefts and thefts of items from within vehicles.

This time of year, more cars are parked at beach parks and other recreational areas, offering criminals more opportunity to break the law, police said.

Police offer these tips:

— Remove keys from parked cars.

— Lock all doors, windows and any sunroof before leaving your car.

— Don’t leave car keys unattended at beaches while swimming.

— Do not leave any papers with personal information (such as mail or bank statements) in your car.

— Place all tempting items — especially cellphones and other electronic equipment — out of sight.

— At home, park in a locked garage or a well-lit area.

Police ask the public to report suspicious activities around parked vehicles by calling the police department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311.

Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.