Lock up your car

Each new year brings optimism to the Annapolis Police Department. Our optimism begins with the premise that people will remove their valuables from their car and lock the doors.

However, our optimism quickly fades. This year we want to stay positive. We want to push the theft numbers down and I know that you'll help us and not be a victim in 2019.

I'm sure you're asking, “How can I prevent being a victim of theft in 2019?” It's all very simple. Remove all valuables from your vehicle, don't leave a spare key to the vehicle in the vehicle and lock your vehicle doors at all times. In addition, if you have a garage don't leave the keys in the vehicle or hanging in the garage. Take them with you and lock your door that leads from the garage to your home.

We recently posted a video on our Facebook page of a theft from a vehicle where the thief broke a window, grabbed a purse that was left on a vehicle seat and fled. This all occurred in less than 40 seconds.

Help us remain optimistic in 2019. Remove valuables and lock your vehicle. Report suspicious activity to the Annapolis Police Department by calling 410-268-4141 or 911 in an emergency. If you are the victim of a crime please use the same numbers to report it to us.

POLICE CHIEF SCOTT BAKER Annapolis