Rash of car prowls in SCC parking lots

By Jim Hills, Shoreline Community College

For some, ‘tis the season for grabbing gifts, even if they don’t belong to them and are in someone else’s car.

Shoreline Community College Safety and Security Director Robin Blacksmith urges everyone on campus to add an extra measure of caution about leaving items where someone might think about stealing them. Specifically, Blacksmith said there has been a rash of break-ins to vehicles parked on campus, including five on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011.

“It’s always a good idea to not leave valuables in your car, whether it is parked on campus or any public place, or at least put them out of sight,” Blacksmith said.

The break-ins on Monday were all similar with thieves just smashing windows and grabbing whatever was there. In a break-in over the weekend, the vehicle’s door lock had been jimmied. In that incident, a 9mm pistol and ammunition were stolen. While the gun was registered and legal, it wasn’t in a secured and locked gun safe.

“The typical car prowler is looking for easy items that they can just reach in and grab once the window is smashed or door locked has been punched. If you see something, say something,” Blacksmith said. “By just following sensible practices, we all can help make the campus a safer place,” Blacksmith said.