BELGRADE — Car robberies might happen more frequently than you realize, even in your own neighborhood. I had a conversation with the Belgrade Police to discuss safety measures you can take in such situations.
“Typically, in cities, car robbers pick an area, walk around to check cars, and then move on. They might not revisit that area for some time,” shared David Keen, the Belgrade Deputy Chief of Police.
Keen mentioned that an area around 13th Street in Belgrade was recently targeted, with nine reported break-ins and two stolen cars over the weekend.
According to Keen, car break-ins occur frequently without a specific pattern. Thieves strike whenever they find the opportunity.
Montana witnessed nearly 3,000 car break-ins in 2021, with thieves looking for items like money and firearms.
To prevent car break-ins, Keen advised that these incidents usually happen in large numbers during late-night hours. Thieves usually target unlocked car doors for easy access.
Keen mentioned that city car thefts rarely involve damaging the car. Almost all of these thefts occur because car owners leave their doors unlocked overnight.
Therefore, to ensure safety, Keen recommends locking car doors, closing windows, and avoiding leaving valuables inside the vehicle.
