While everyone enjoys getting into a warm vehicle before leaving their residence, leaving your car running unattended creates a crime of opportunity. Don’t become the victim of vehicle theft. This is a crime that can be prevented.

From October 2010 through March 2011, thirty percent of auto thefts in Ogden were deemed preventable. In these cases, the keys were left in the vehicle, in the ignition, and in some cases the vehicle was left running.

Utah State Code 41-6a-1403 as well as Ogden City Ordinance 10-7-5 require that a person stop the engine of their vehicle, lock the ignition, and remove the key before leaving it unattended. Otherwise, a police officer may issue a citation and even take the keys to the police station where they may later be claimed by the property owner.

Please help stop preventable crimes by taking these simple actions as we get into the colder months of the year.