Billboards To Help Prevent Crime

All a thief needs is the opportunity to steal something from you. People all over Abilene leave their car doors unlocked, setting themselves up to get targeted.

"We could put an officer on every street corner and if folks still give a person the opportunity to take their property, crime is still going to happen," Sgt. Keith Shackleford, with the Abilene Police Department.

The Department of Motor Vehicles has placed billboards around town, telling people to lock their cars. While the Abilene Police Department had nothing to do with these signs, they think there a great idea.

"I love them. Anything that's going to get that message out there to remind folks that they need to secure their property. I think that's a great thing," Shackleford said.

The police are still seeing a steady stream of car burglaries in Abilene. They hope these signs will reinforce the importance of locking your car doors.

"There are three things you need to have for a crime take place. You need a suspect, a victim and an opportunity. The victim can control the opportunity. If you take two of those things out, the crime can't happen," Shackleford said.

APD is getting ready to start their own campaign in a few weeks, that's similar to the one started by the DMV.