What's Up With The Crime?

I'm a fairly new follower to the Patch site (within the last few months) so I've been mostly unaware of the crime that happens in our neighborhood unless it's being tweeted or is worthy enough to make the local news – which I rarely watch.  But recently, there have been a lot of break-ins.  

I have a few questions. 

1) Why is it called a break-in when the car was unlocked? Don't get me wrong, someone went into your car/home without permission and took your stuff. This is the random stuff that floats around in my head.

2) Why are you leaving your car parked on the street without being locked? Of the almost 30 latest thefts, two of them were actually cars, not just stuff in the cars. Again, why isn't your car locked?

Side note: I grew up in the country. The only time the house door was ever locked is when we were sleeping. The cars were never locked and the keys were usually in them. When I got older and started driving, I locked my car everywhere but home. When I got to college, I got into the habit of locking my car everywhere. Still do, even in my locked garage. Ya know, I live in the city now (see grandma's comment in ).

3) Why are you leaving valuables within plain sight? I believe the most common reason cars are broken into is because things are left in plain sight. So, why not shove the valuables under the seat, in the trunk or *gasp* leave them at home!  

4) Who do these thieves think they are?  Now I don't know who is doing the stealing, maybe a couple of bored teenagers, maybe a homeless person, maybe a criminal (insert 'Cops' theme song) but seriously, if you criminals are reading this post, leave our stuff alone!

How can we as a community keep crime down? I know the weather this spring has been less than stellar, but I ask that you take note of what's happening on your block, go outside, check things out and be aware of people just lurking around.  Be aware of what you are leaving visable in your car.  Make sure your doors are locked.  Now, I read that some of the most recent break-ins were due to smashed windows, so before you get mad at me for reminding you to lock you doors, I do understand there's not much you can do about a smashed window except to make sure your valuables are put away.  

Have you checked out the most recent interactive theft map posted in Jeff Rumage's article titled .  One of these thefts is just two doors down from me and that's WAY too close to home. My home. Whitefish Bay is a safe place, but don't forget that to be safe, we also need to be aware. Being unaware makes us as an easy target. So, go outside and look around. And while you're out there checking things out, say "Hello" to your neighbor and let them know what's going on in our 'hood.

Be aware and keep us all safe.