Many residents value Powell's hometown feel. Old and new Powellites alike praise it for being a place to raise a family, a community to establish roots in and a close-knit town where people know one another.It is not, however, a town where you can leave your door unlocked or your car keys in the ignition.Powell — like every other place on earth —is not immune to crime. A weekend auto theft emphasized the need for residents to be aware of that reality when an unlocked vehicle was stolen with its keys in the ignition. Unfortunately, the theft is one of numerous cases in Powell and across the United States.About 20 percent of auto thefts in the nation occur when the vehicle is left unlocked with the keys in it, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. In a news release, the nonprofit organization lists common sense among the main ways to prevent car theft: “The cheapest form of defense is to simply employ the anti-theft devices that are standard on all vehicles: Locks. Lock your car and take your keys.”In some states, such as Pennsylvania, it is illegal to leave your keys in the ignition of an unattended vehicle. For some insurance companies, auto theft claims are invalidated if the owner left the keys in the car. Taking keys out of the ignition is a simple task. Powell remains a safe community, but leaving car or house keys in plain sight is negligent.

Many residents value Powell's hometown feel. Old and new Powellites alike praise it for being a place to raise a family, a community to establish roots in and a close-knit town where people know one another.

It is not, however, a town where you can leave your door unlocked or your car keys in the ignition.

Powell — like every other place on earth —is not immune to crime. A weekend auto theft emphasized the need for residents to be aware of that reality when an unlocked vehicle was stolen with its keys in the ignition.

Unfortunately, the theft is one of numerous cases in Powell and across the United States.

About 20 percent of auto thefts in the nation occur when the vehicle is left unlocked with the keys in it, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. In a news release, the nonprofit organization lists common sense among the main ways to prevent car theft: “The cheapest form of defense is to simply employ the anti-theft devices that are standard on all vehicles: Locks. Lock your car and take your keys.”

In some states, such as Pennsylvania, it is illegal to leave your keys in the ignition of an unattended vehicle. For some insurance companies, auto theft claims are invalidated if the owner left the keys in the car.

Taking keys out of the ignition is a simple task. Powell remains a safe community, but leaving car or house keys in plain sight is negligent.