Our View: Police, public work together to prevent car thefts

If anyone has had things stolen from their unlocked cars in recent weeks, you can't blame the Havre Police Department.

Sadly, Havre has lost its innocence in recent weeks.

It was always a place where you could leave your car door unlocked. People felt safe leaving their groceries, recent purchases, even wallets in their car.

Then a rash of car break-ins started to take place.

In random parts of town a few weeks ago, cars were ransacked, and items were taken from the cars. This often happened with cars that were parked in alleys — out of sight of passersby. But they also took place on heavily traveled streets.

Pilfered items ranged from CDs to more valuable things.

The police department put out pleas, asking people to lock their cars, remove valuables and keep an eye out.

Things were quiet for a while, but apparently the wrongdoers decided it was time to strike one more time, and Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, it started up again.

In one case, the thieves even took a gun that was in a locked car, but highly visible.

Other cars had been left unlocked, making it easy for the thieves to get in.

Police are once again asking people to keep an eye out for anyone who may be casing cars.

Of course, we don't know how many cars were locked Tuesday night, thus thwarting the crooks, but enough cars were left unlocked that sticky fingers made off with a lot of booty.

So, just one more reminder. Keep your car locked. Keep valuables hidden, most of all any firearms.

And if you see anyone who looks like they might be up to no-good, let police know.