Keep your vehicle clean: During Summerfest, Park and Ride lots become targets for thieves

MILWAUKEE -- No one likes to walk up to their vehicle and see that the window has been busted out and personal belongings have been stolen -- but it has happened in Milwaukee. Law enforcement officials are issuing a warning, as Summerfest is set to begin on Wednesday, June 29th.

Park and Ride

Park and Ride lots in the Milwaukee area are popular spots during Summerfest. That's were folks will park their vehicles before hopping on a Milwaukee County Transit System Freeway Flyer and heading to Maier Festival Park.

Glove box

There is a simple thing you can do to protect yourself from thieves: Don't leave anything in your vehicle for them to take.

Officials advise that you store your valuables in the trunk of your vehicle, under a seat or in the glove box before you arrive at the Park and Ride lot -- so thieves who may be hanging around don't see where your valuables are hidden.

Park and Ride

MCTS doesn't manage the Park and Ride lots -- but MCTS is working to help keep them safe.

"During the 11-day Summerfest run, we have employees at every Park and Ride location from 11:00 a.m. to at least 10:00 p.m. We can at least guarantee you during Summerfest we will always have people there -- so we have eyes and ears there," Brendan Conway, MCTS spokesman said.

MCTS buses at Summerfest

Once you've arrived at Maier Festival Park, you'll have to go through metal detectors for the very first time.

"It`s really best in class right now for all venues and we want to make sure we keep the safety of our patrons as our first priority. We`ll check all bags as well as walk-through metal detection," Sarah Pancheri, VP of sales and marketing for Summerfest said.

Summerfest officials are encouraging patrons to travel light.

"Don`t bring a bag larger than 9x10x12 because we won`t allow it on the grounds," Pancheri said.

Metal detectors at Miller Park

Lines may be longer than normal at the Summerfest admission gates because of the added metal detectors.

Summerfest

If you're not carrying a purse or bag, you'll be able to pass through an "Express Line."

As for the Park and Ride lots -- new this year is MCTS Pre-Fare -- a digital bus ticket that's good for a round trip on any MCTS Freeway Flyer.

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