Crime & Safety
Canton Launches Project Safe Car
The initiative will educate Canton residents on the dangers of leaving valuables unsecured in their vehicles.
If you routinely leave your valuables in plain sight in your vehicles, then you may soon get a message from the Canton Police Department.
The agency on Friday launched Project Safe Car, which entails officers hitting up parking lots of local shopping centers to spot vehicles that would be deemed prime targets for thieves.
An additional 10 officers from the agency's Uniform Patrol Division have been dispatched to roll out the initiative.
The operation consists of Canton officers identifying vehicles that have electronic items such as GPS units, unlocked vehicles, open windows and other valuables out in the open. If an officer spots these items, they will place a brochure on the windshield warning motorists of the hazards of leaving their vehicles and items unsecured.
The initiative, a project Chief Robert Merchant implemented at his previous post in Florida, is a result of the agency seeing an increase in theft of vehicles and entering auto cases.
In the last three months, Canton police have received 11 reports of cars being stolen — seven of which have been recovered — and 23 vehicles that have been broken into.
"The program has been successful in making shoppers aware of the dangers of becoming easy targets," Merchant said. "We are committed to community-oriented policing and being proactive."
As always, the Canton Police Department urges residents to call 911 if they see any suspicious activity.
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