Kansas City Police are asking residents to stop leaving their cars running unattended because it makes them an easy target for thieves. From Nov. 1 to Dec. 18, 2009, one-fifth of cars stolen in the city had been left running unattended.
In Metro Patrol, 28 percent of cars stolen had been left running unattended. KCPD crime analysts believe those numbers are even higher because some victims are too embarrassed to report that they'd left their car running. The bulk of the thefts happen when drivers leave their car warming up in their driveway, but many have happened at convenience stores. Victims think they can pop quickly into the store but then come out to find the car they left running stolen. Detectives say that locking a running car is no protection from thieves - they can break the window out in seconds. Even newer cars with remote-start options are not safe at the hands of an experienced car thief.
Not only is leaving your car running unattended unwise, it's illegal. City Ordinance 70-251 prohibits it and makes it punishable by a fine of $43.50. Don't help the thieves- please either stay in your car while warming it up, or turn off your car if you need to leave it, and also remember to keep valuables out of sight!