TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) \u2013 The Tallahassee Police Department is reporting a slight increase in car burglaries, while also emphasizing the importance of not leaving guns in unlocked cars. <\/p>\n
So far this year, TPD is reporting 60 guns have been stolen from cars and 50 of them were taken from unlocked cars. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a real problem and we can do better as a community,\u201d TPD Detective Michael Carter said. \u201cOftentimes, these people that are stealing firearms, they don\u2019t have the best intentions. They\u2019re out there stealing for a reason. And for them to be able to get a firearm, it just may empower them more to go and do other crimes.\u201d <\/p>\n
He says people should avoid leaving their guns in the car altogether, but if you do, he says to be proactive. <\/p>\n
More Tallahassee News<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a gun owner does come with a great responsibility,\u201d Carter said. \u201cI would encourage you to take it inside if you\u2019re not going to be in your vehicle. But, if you are going to leave it in your vehicle, some other preventative measures may be to actually get a lockbox.\u201d <\/p>\n
Carter said when people commit violent crimes, many times, a gun was used. \u201cSo if we can, potentially, prevent someone from getting a firearm from a vehicle that\u2019s being burglarized, then that could potentially reduce the numbers in other areas.\u201d <\/p>\n
Even for people who don\u2019t have guns in their cars, Carter said many theft victims do not routinely lock their doors, and that needs to be a habit.<\/p>\n
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