By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

After more than 40 vehicle burglaries were reported since June 1, the Kissimmee Police Department wants to remind residents and visitors to be proactive when leaving their vehicle unattended.

Of those burglaries reported in June, 75 percent of those vehicles were left unsecured and items were in plain view, spokeswoman Stacie Miller said, adding that since the beginning of 2012, there have been 265 reports of vehicle burglaries in the city.

“The Kissimmee Police Department implemented the Lock, Keep, Take program in 2009, which includes signs and stickers at businesses and parking lots throughout the city,” Chief Fran Iwanski said. “Our goal is to continue to remind citizens and visitors to protect their property and to reduce the chance of becoming a victim of crime.”

Burglars are targeting apartment and condominium communities, specifically Bella Vista, Oak Leaf Landing, Fox Hall and Arbors of Sendera communities. Witnesses have reported seeing two Hispanic men in their early to mid 20’s pulling on car door handles in those communities.

All of the cases are still open and active, Miller said.

“At this point, we aren’t sure who is responsible for all of these burglaries,” she said. “They take anything that is left in plain view, even spare change.”

Kissimmee police detectives are reminding residents not to leave anything of value in plain view in a vehicle. All items should be secured out of sight or taken out of the vehicle when exiting. Residents should lock their vehicles and keep their keys secured where no one can take them. All identity information should be kept on the person at all times and not left in a vehicle.

“We are not sure why residents are not locking their car doors or taking items out of their cars,” Miller said. “We will continue to remind them to protect their property to lessen their chances of becoming a victim.”