How to Reduce Crime in MB: It's Easy!

Manhattan Beach police and city officials say crime in the city could be dramatically reduced if residents and visitors simply locked their vehicle and home doors and didn't leave valuables in plain sight.

To create such awareness, the police department has launched a "Lock It or Lose It" campaign. Campaign tips are simple: 

• Lock your vehicle at all times.
• Keep your valuables – laptop, camera, MP3 player, GPS system, cell phone, purse, wallet, briefcase and other items out of plain view.
• Leave no trace or sign of electronics, such as docking stations or connector cables
• Remove your third row seats and store them in a locked garage.
• Don't leave packages or shopping bags visible in your car.
• Unload your car immediately when you get home. Do not leave items in your car overnight.
• Set your alarm or anti-theft device.

MBPD reports that from January through Match, 81 crimes were reported with 76, or 94 percent, of those happening to unlocked vehicles or vehicles in which the valuables were left in plain view.

Alarming as well is that it takes less than 30 seconds to break into a car, grab what is in plain view, check the usual hiding places (glove box, center console and under the seat) and get away, according to police, who say that theft prevention, like all crime prevention, involves limiting the criminal’s opportunity to commit a crime.

"With very little effort, residents and visitors can make a huge difference in not only reducing, but preventing crime," said MBPD Officer Stephanie Martin.