Don't become a victim: Sheriff urges Summerfest Park & Ride users to protect their belongings

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke is issuing a reminder to Park & Ride lot users to take precautions to help prevent theft of any valuables left in their cars.

Sheriff Clarke is urging the lot users to use common sense precautions to reduce their chances of being victimized.

The Park & Ride lots provide an inexpensive and convenient way to attend Summerfest and other festivals at the lakefront.

Thieves know the users of these lots will be gone for a long period of time, and see the vehicles as crimes of opportunity.

Visitors from outlying areas may be accustomed to leaving their vehicles unlocked, but different habits are needed in an urban area.

Leaving your valuables in plain view in an unlocked vehicle at a Park & Ride lot for a lengthy period of time is, unfortunately, an invitation to criminals to steal your belongings.

Popular items for thieves to easily steal include GPS mapping systems, laptop computers, iPads and iPods, satellite radios, cameras, cell phones, purses, wallets, radar detectors, DVDs, and money – including change left in cup holders and center consoles.

Thieves will “smash and grab” these items if they are visible through the car windows.

The Sheriff has ordered undercover and uniformed patrols, along with web-based surveillance cameras that can be viewed in real time. P

eople need to do their part and “Hide it, lock it, keep it.

Hide valuables in trunk, under seat or in glove box before you arrive at the lot. Thieves watch for where people are hiding valuables.

Lock your car, roll up windows and close sunroofs – don’t make it easy for the thief.

Do these things and you’ll keep your valuables.

Please visit the Milwaukee County Transit System and Summerfest websites for details on transportation options to get to Summerfest:

http://ridemcts.com/routes-schedules/event-seasonal-services/summerfest

http://www.summerfest.com/Event-Info/Transportation.aspx

MCTS list of Park & Rides:

College (Route 40) College Ave., at I-94 (both lots)

Brown Deer East (Route 49) Brown Deer Rd., west of I-43

Holt (Route 47) Holt Ave. west of I-94

Loomis (Route 47) Loomis Rd., south of Coldspring Rd.

Ryan Road (Route 41) Ryan Road and I-94

State Fair Park (Route 44) I-94, S. 76th and W. Kearney.

Whitnall/Hales Corners (Route 43) I-43, east of S. 108th St.

Burleigh/Mayfair Collection (Route 45)just north of Burleigh Street, east of US Hwy 45 and at 114th Street)

Timmerman (Route 39) Timmerman Field at Appleton & N. 96th St.