It is sad that people don’t respect other people’s property. We all need to be vigilant in helping watch out for our neighbors – and if you see anything out of the ordinary, it is also very important to make a call to our police to register this information.
You never know what investigation might be going on, and by making a call to give any info that may seem unimportant, might just be the lead our men and women in blue need. Please read the information below and learn how to play a part in keeping crime down in our town.
Recently the Town of Bluffton has experienced a spike in catalytic converter thefts. The Bluffton Police Department is working diligently to catch the thieves responsible for these incidents, but in the meantime, we would like to remind everyone to remain vigilant. We would also like pass along some ideas for deterring thieves and keeping vehicles secure.
Catalytic converter thefts:
• If possible, keep all vehicles in a physically secure enclosed location (garage, shed, enclosed carport, etc.).
• If it is not possible to keep vehicles in a physically secure enclosed location, security cameras are encouraged. Most cameras are inexpensive and offer good quality video with options to send alerts to your phone.
• If secured locations and cameras are not feasible, ensure that the area where vehicles are kept is well lit.
• Always report any suspicious activity to the police.
Vehicle break-ins:
• Never leave valuables in your vehicle overnight. This includes cash, firearms, portable electronics, prescription medication, credit cards, jewelry, and any identification documents.
• Always lock your doors when you get out of your vehicle and make sure all windows are rolled up.
• Never leave your keys inside the vehicle overnight – even if it’s parked in the garage.
• Always report any suspicious activity to the police.
Report items stolen: There are many times when people notice that something that was in their vehicle has been stolen. Often it is not reported to the police because it may seem minor or more of a hassle to wait and file a report. We encourage anyone who notices something that was taken from their vehicle to contact the Bluffton Police Department. This will help officers potentially track down and locate the suspect and retrieve your belongings.
• Contact the non-emergency line at 843-524-2777. Please keep this number and share with neighbors.
• Try to obtain serial numbers or other identifiable markings on stolen items.
• If a wallet is stolen be sure to cancel any credit cards as quickly as possible.
• Finally, if you see something, say something.
Lisa Sulka is the mayor of the Town of Bluffton. lsulka@townofbluffton.com
