Editorial:

Rash of burglaries underscores the need to lock your vehicles, home

Posted 5/12/20

Those of us who call Powell home like to believe it is a safe community, and oftentimes, that’s true.

The local police blotter frequently features humorous entries — such as a recent …

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Editorial:

Rash of burglaries underscores the need to lock your vehicles, home

Posted

Those of us who call Powell home like to believe it is a safe community, and oftentimes, that’s true.

The local police blotter frequently features humorous entries — such as a recent report of a man who was acting like a horse on West Second Street. Entries from past years have included a suspicious pill found in a parking lot that was actually a breath mint, or a report of a shower curtain in a local dumpster that looked like it was covered in blood, but it turned out to be pizza sauce.

Although some log entries can be more entertaining than ominous, police and sheriff’s reports also show that Powell and Park County aren’t immune to thefts, violence and other criminal activity. Serious, real crimes take place in our small communities.

In recent weeks, Powell has been hit with a spree of auto burglaries.

At least 16 burglaries occurred in local neighborhoods between April 25 and May 6, and Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt described them as “crimes of opportunities,” where the culprit or culprits took things that were sitting out and accessible.

“None of these vehicles have had evidence of forced entry,” Eckerdt told the Tribune last week. “Secure your vehicles, don’t leave your valuables in plain sight.”

If you don’t usually lock your vehicle, camper or home, now is a good time to start. It only takes a few seconds to lock or unlock a vehicle, but that simple action could help prevent you from becoming the next victim of a theft. Yes, Powell is generally a safe place, and thankfully, we don’t often have to worry about a lot of crimes happening here. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen here. As the saying goes, “Trust in God, but lock your car.”

We also want to take a moment to thank local law enforcement officers who patrol our streets, investigate crime reports and strive to keep our communities as safe as possible. They’re essential workers, every single day of the year, and we’re grateful for their unwavering service.

By taking common sense precautions to protect your belongings, you can help them in their mission to keep this community safe.

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