February has brought a sudden increase of car break-ins in Key West.
Twenty have been reported to Key West police as of Monday, Detective Bill Larkin said. This type of crime, especially in a tourist area during peak season, is known as a crime of opportunity, Larkin said. In most of these cases, convertible tops were cut or windows broken.
Another factor is something police call vacation mentality. "People on vacation drop their guard—they're relaxing and having fun. They aren't as careful as they would be at home," Larkin added.
Residents and visitors can reduce their chances of becoming victims of these crimes if they follow some commonsense suggestions Larkin offered. Burglars apparently are seeing valuables in plain sight inside the car—a purse or wallet, or video camera or a cell phone—and they break in to take it.
"It's just too easy, too tempting. Lock your car. Don't leave valuables out in plain sight," the detective said. "If they don't see anything worth taking, they'll be less likely to risk breaking in."
Police road patrol officers know about the problem and are especially on the lookout for suspicious activity around parked cars. But they cannot be everywhere all the time and ask that persons call police immediately if they think they see someone casing parked cars or trying to break in or if they hear breaking glass.
Crime Stoppers of the Keys will pay a cash reward to anyone whose tip-off leads to the arrest of any of these burglars. Callers do not have to identify themselves. That number is 1-800-346-TIPS.