Don't take your purse to the park

By Diane Hettrick

Actually, don't take your wallet, either.

During the winter months (which lasted up to last week) the trend was to steal purses and wallets from lockers at sports facilities.

Now that people are using the parks more, the thieves have shifted their targets. They are breaking into cars in parking lots at area parks and taking the wallets and purses that people are leaving in their cars while they walk in the park.

Hamlin Park seems to be a favorite, but there are reports from other parks. It's just a matter of time before they hit your favorite park.

In one case, the wallet was in plain sight on the passenger seat, but in the others, it was somewhat hidden from view, although your average thief could probably figure out that something interesting was under that towel on the floor of the car.

Police advise that you should never leave valuables in your car, whether it's at a park or in your driveway.

Consider yourself warned.