GP Police Grade Cars on “Hide, Lock, Take”

Park in Grand Prairie? You may get a report card

Grand Prairie police officers are peering into parked cars and grading them on how how attractive they are to car burglars.

Starting this week, officers are inspecting random vehicles throughout the city and putting "report cards" on the windshields.

Officer Greg New said major crimes are down in the city but officers are kept busy with burglary calls. Many of the burglaries could have been prevented if people had just locked their vehicles or hidden their valuables.

"This is one of the most common crimes that we deal with," he said.

New said people commonly forget to hide items such as gym bags, purses, wallets and computer bags.

He said its also important for people to take their keys with them.

Antron Evans, who left his car on a residential street, was surprised by the report card left on his vehicle. He said he didn't think anything of leaving a radar device visible in his car and did not realize it could make him a target.

Grand Prairie resident Shirley Love said she tries to remember to check her car from time to time before she leaves. But she said the program could help her and other residents become more vigilant.

"People would become more cognizant of what they're doing, and they would take that extra minute you know to check their car out," she said.

Police said they hope the effort will reduce the number of car break-ins, allowing officers to concentrate on more serious cases.

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