In an effort to combat the increasing number of open garage burglaries and car thefts, the Town of Cary is today kicking off Operation Hello Neighbor – an outreach effort to educate citizens about the risks of open garage doors and vehicles that are unlocked or have valuables in clear view. 

Patrol officers will use a combination of educational tools, including face-to-face conversations with home and vehicle owners.  From 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. daily, officers will attempt to personally contact owners and provide information on ways to help prevent garage or automobile larcenies.  If the owner is not available, a prevention flyer will be left at the residence or mailed to the owner.  Other outreach methods to be used during the campaign include: mailing letters; using the Town’s newsletter; and including prevention information on the Town’s Web site and cable television channel to help spread the word.  Operation Hello Neighbor ends on January 31.

“While there isn’t anything illegal about leaving your garage or car door open or leaving items in clear view, doing so makes it very easy for criminals to steal valuable things like tools, food, GPS units, wallets and purses, and even the car itself,” said Police Lieutenant Travis Baker.  “Even though Cary is consistently ranked one of the safest communities in America, we are finding that very preventable crimes related to open garages and unlocked automobile doors are increasing.”

Garage burglaries and automobile-related thefts are Cary’s most occurring preventable crime.  Between January 2008 and November 4, 2008, the Town received 35 reports of open garage burglaries with property stolen valued at $46,250.  During the same time period, the Town received 53 reports of larcenies from vehicles at apartment complexes with property stolen valued at $88,775.  Also, the Town has received 28 reports of larcenies of automobile parts at apartment complexes with property stolen valued at $56,943.

“We hope that through Operation Hello Neighbor, our citizens will gain the information they need to ensure that they don’t fall victim to these preventable crimes,” added Baker.  “By talking with one neighbor at a time, we hope to continue to maintain a safe and enjoyable quality of life for all.”