Sedalia Police Offer Tips to Help Keep Vehicles and Firearms Safe

The Sedalia Police Department has recently responded to several thefts from vehicles throughout the city and the department is offering some tips to keep you and your vehicles safe.

According to post on the Sedalia Police Department's Facebook page, various items are being stolen from vehicles, including firearms. Some of the tips recommended are:

1. Always lock your vehicle. The way these thieves tend to operate is by walking down streets at night checking for vehicles that are unlocked. Locked vehicles are less likely victims because breaking into them causes noise and generally draws attention. Unlocked vehicles are an easy targets.

2. Call us if you see something. Be aware of what’s happening outside of your house when you are awake at night. If you get up to go the bathroom in the middle of the night, look out on your street and see if you notice anyone walking down the street looking into vehicles, or trying door handles. Police Officers are patrolling your neighborhoods at night, however it’s sometimes easier for the thieves to see the Police coming than it is for the Police to see them, which gives them time to hide. Having citizens call us helps us to know that there is a possible thief in the area and increases our chance of catching them.

3. Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle. Thieves are looking for easy targets that will net them a quick return by selling, pawning, or using the items. Leaving credit cards, debit cards, check books, social security cards, wallets, purses in an unlocked vehicle makes it easy for a thief to steal your identity. Not leaving valuables in your vehicle reduces the amount of money you are out if a theft should occur. If you do leave valuables in your vehicle and lock your door, leave those valuables out of sight so your vehicle doesn’t look as appealing.

4. Be a responsible gun owner. Take your gun out of your car at night, especially if you leave your vehicle doors unlocked. As a gun owner, you should take steps to ensure that the gun that you own is never used to hurt people without cause. If someone steals your gun, there is no telling when or who it could be used on. There are always people in the market to buy stolen firearms as they cannot legally obtain them.

For more information or to report a crime, call the Sedalia Police Dept. at 826-8100.