Police Chief: cars left open with keys inside not good idea

    The days of leaving cars unlocked with the keys inside are long gone, and should be.
    That’s the opinion of Police Chief Ryan Wisnieski, who is alerting local residents that most crimes occur when there is opportunity. Leaving keys in unlocked cars is a big opportunity, he believes.
    While it was recovered in another part of town, a stolen car last week about 2:30 a.m. from the 800 block of Park Street provided that opportunity—it was open with the keys inside, Wisnieski said.
    The car was found in the 100 block of East 3rd Street undamaged with nothing taken, even though a wallet and cash were inside, he said.
    “Someone saw the opportunity and just took it,” he said.
    The same night, another unlocked vehicle with keys inside  lost its registration after someone apparently was inside, he said.
    Wisnieski said locked vehicles with keys removed takes away the opportunity for a potential crime. He recommends that preventive action to Imperial residents.