Plum mayor, police advise residents to secure vehicles parked outdoors

Plum officials are warning residents to secure vehicles that are parked outside.

At the August borough council meeting, Mayor Harry Schlegel said police had 866 calls for service in July, a 16% increase over June. Thefts from vehicles are one of the things he said have been keeping officers busy.

“Please, if you’re leaving your vehicles outside, lock them,” he said. “Do not leave valuables, computers, certainly not money. We’ve had a lot of calls about crimes of opportunity.”

Police spokesman Det. Joseph Little said thefts from motor vehicles increase during the summer.

“Typically, the perpetrators of these crimes enter unlocked vehicles at night, taking any valuables left inside,” he said.

Little said items such as laptops, wallets, purses and cellphones containing personal information have been taken, leading to identity theft and fraud. Firearms also have been taken, creating a danger to the community.

“Officers of the Plum Borough Police Department would like to remind our community members to remove valuables from their vehicles and assure they are locked and secure,” he said.

Securing a vehicle could extend to securing a home, Schlegel said.

“Most cars now have the automatic garage door opener built into the car. You don’t think they know how to open your garage door and get in?” he said. “Criminals are looking for an easy score. Don’t give them the opportunity.”