









The Orlando Police Department

launched an initiative last month to help protect residents from the

ever-present threat of burglary. Called Operation Lock It Up, the goal is to

encourage people to take simple steps to secure their property.

For the next several weeks,

uniformed OPD officers will walk Orlando neighborhoods looking for unlocked

vehicles and homes as well as exposed valuables that could entice criminals.

Property owners receive report cards grading their efforts to deter burglars. Those

with alarm systems receive higher scores. Officers will also pass out flyers

with additional crime prevention tips.

Officers

recently walked the streets of Orlando’s Audubon Park neighborhood as part of

Operation Lock It Up and their findings were concerning. In a single afternoon,

they encountered 36 unlocked cars, and worse, five homes with doors ajar. The

homes were not just unlocked, their doors were partially open. This invites both

burglars and home invaders.

Operation Lock It Up is supported by

Orlando City Commissioner Robert Stuart, who earlier this year stated crime

reduction is his number one priority. He appeared alongside OPD Deputy Chief

Robert Pigman at a College Park event to kick off the initiative, telling the

audience, “There are

crimes of opportunity all over Central Florida. Crimes of opportunity bring other

criminals into the neighborhood. The first line of prevention is in your own

home.”

Deputy

Chief Pigman added, ““It just makes sense in this day and age to lock up your

valuables. We go to calls every day where people have left their things

unsecured. Let’s not make it easy for criminals.”

Operation

Lock It Up reminds that home security should be a priority for everyone. Make

sure doors, windows and garage doors are securely locked at all times, even

when you’re home. You should also keep valuables out of view and install

outdoor lighting. A custom home security system is the best way to deter burglars. The presence of a home alarm system

is enough to make most criminals move on to an easier target.