Editorial | An easy ‘yes’ to CCPD crime prevention request
If a picture tells the story, the Cape Coral Police Department’s map pinpointing a recent rash of car burglaries with dozens of incident-location car icons and red hotspots portrays a problem indeed.
And one to which the CCPD should not be forced to devote an escalating number of hours.
From the start of the year to March 10, the data-driven graphic shows dozens of thefts spread out through the city from vehicles law enforcement officials say were, for the most part, left unlocked.
Areas with a “high burglary rate” include the neighborhoods on both sides of Pine Island Road on the east side of Santa Barbara Boulevard down through Hancock Bridge, Viscaya and Nicholas parkways across Del Prado Boulevard to Southeast 24th Avenue; the area south off Veterans Memorial Parkway on the east side of Chiquita Boulevard fading out of the hotspot after Gleason Parkway to the south and before Santa Barbara to the east; and much of the city’s original downtown along and around Cape Coral Parkway.
The CCPD calls vehicle burglaries “crimes of opportunity.”
Most of these thefts here in the city are not smash-and-grabs but are the result of vehicles being left unlocked with something of value inside. Oftentimes, the thieves are simply moving from unlocked door to unlocked door picking up what have you as they roam.
Are we victim-blaming?
We are not.
In an ideal world we could leave our doors unlocked and walk any street in any city at any time worry free.
But that’s not the world we live in, even here in the Cape where the crime rate is consistently ranked as low.
What we are saying is we, the public, are part of the crime prevention side of the equation and the CCPD has a request for all of us in that role: Lock our doors. Every time, “even if you’re just running a quick errand.”
Law enforcement also asks that we never leave anything of value — including purses, wallets, electronics and, especially, firearms — in our vehicles.
Don’t leave the keys, either.
Not in the ignition.
Not in an easily accessible “hiding place.”
“Every vehicle that is left unlocked or contains valuables presents an easy opportunity for criminals. These thefts are happening citywide, and we must all take responsibility in safeguarding our vehicles and belongings. Together, we can stop this trend and prevent more victims,” department officials said in a release.
It’s a reasonable and street-smart request.
We thank the CCPD for its efforts and we urge our community to do its part.
Breeze editorial