THEFT FROM AUTOS - There has been a lot of crimes, "theft from auto", committed lately at the Franke Park Children’s Zoo and at many other parking lots around the city. I am sure that better than half of those crimes could have been prevented by a little more diligence on the part of the victims. You may not be planning to attend the zoo or any of the "hot spots" this summer, but you are probably planning a vacation or some travel where you will be parking your car in an unattended lot somewhere in the USA. Just as you plan your route to travel and your destinations, you should be planning how to avoid "enticing" a thief to break into your car. Having a non-local license plate is something you cannot change but you can hide personal belongings in your trunk AT A STOP BEFORE YOUR FINAL STOP. You should have NOTHING in sight inside your car. If children are participating in this trip, make sure an adult is the last to leave the car and that it is secured properly.

If the zoo is your destination, please heed the signs listing that NO VALUABLES should be left in the car. During our CCW Zoo and Johnny Appleseed Festival patrols each year, we have found doors unlocked, some left wide open, and many times watch patrons placing valuables in the trunk or placing purses under the seat AFTER THEY HAVE PARKED. It is nice seeing the crime prevention measures taken by the victims of previous crimes. It is too bad that had these measures been taken the first time, the crime could have been prevented.