The Huntsville Police Department (HPD) has taken a significant step in safeguarding the community by launching an initiative focused on raising public awareness about the critical importance of keeping cars locked and secured. This initiative, aptly named "Lock, Secure, Protect", aims to prevent the theft of weapons and other valuable property from unlocked and unsecured vehicles.

Protecting Huntsville - One Locked Car at a Time

Why Keeping Cars Locked Matters

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), an alarming statistic reveals that at least one gun is stolen from a car every nine minutes in the United States. Studies further indicate that a large majority of gun homicides and assaults involve stolen or illegal guns. In Huntsville this year alone, 157 firearms have already been stolen from vehicles, accounting for 22% of the total burglarized cars. This puts the entire community at risk, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action.

Many of the car break-ins and thefts witnessed in Huntsville are instances of crimes of opportunity. Unlocked cars serve as easy targets, and it only takes a split second for someone to reach in and make off with whatever they can grab. The consequences of not locking our cars are far-reaching and can have a profound impact on our safety and property.

Five Tips to Make Locking Up a Habit

Setting a reminder on your phone or smartwatch can serve as a helpful prompt to ensure you don't forget to lock your car. Placing a sticker or a small object in a visible spot inside your car can act as a visual cue, reminding you to lock it before leaving. Enabling auto-lock features or using a smartphone app to lock your car remotely provides added convenience and ensures that your vehicle is locked even if you forget.

After locking your car, it is essential to check the door handle to ensure it is secure. This simple step can prevent potential break-ins and give you peace of mind. Additionally, creating a mental or physical checklist to follow every time you park can help make locking your car a routine behavior.

Since the start of 2023, more than 1,600 cars have been broken into in Huntsville, highlighting the severity of the problem. By following these simple tips and working together, we can make a significant difference in preventing car theft and keeping our community safer.