Dubuque Police have become aware of a recent increase in burglaries to motor vehicles, several of which have occurred in or near recreational areas such as parks and trails.
Residents are reminded to refrain from leaving any items of value in their motor vehicles and to always lock the doors – regardless of where you leave the vehicle unattended. The majority of motor vehicle (and residential) burglaries can be prevented by following these two simple recommendations.
Of the recently burglarized vehicles, all of them either had valuables left in plain view inside and/or were left with the doors unlocked. If one chooses to hide items within the vehicle, be it the driver/passenger compartment, the trunk, or elsewhere, do so before arriving at the location you intend to leave your vehicle so potential burglars in the area don’t see you hiding said items. Be sure to record serial numbers from all items of value (at home and those associated with your vehicle) and keep them somewhere safe. Lastly, when possible, park your vehicle in an area that is not secluded and offers a higher chance of criminal/suspicious behavior being witnessed & reported.
Following the recommendations above will greatly reduce the likelihood of your motor vehicle being burglarized. However, if you are a crime victim or see criminal/suspicious behavior, always report it to the police.