Full Notification

MERIDIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2023

CONTACT: Stephany Galbreaith, Communications Manager
 

MERIDIAN- The Meridian Police Department would like to remind vehicle owners to always lock their vehicles to prevent theft. Locking your vehicle is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect personal property and avoid becoming a victim of crime.

Since January 1, 2023 there have been forty-four (44) reported instances of vehicle burglaries in Meridian with twelve (12) firearms reported as stolen from parked vehicles. This is a 41.9 percent increase from 2022. Ten (10) out of the twelve (12) guns stolen from vehicles were accessible because the vehicles were unlocked.

Property Crimes Sergeant Matt Parsons says “the easiest and most effective way residents can protect themselves and their property is by removing their belongings and locking their vehicles when not in use. Idaho is not like it was thirty years ago where it was considered to be relatively safe to leave your vehicles unlocked. Most of our reported vehicle thefts could have been prevented by individuals simply locking their vehicle.”

In addition to locking vehicles and removing keys, there are other measures which can further ensure the safety of belongings:

• Park in well-lit areas: Thieves are less likely to target a car parked in a well-lit area where they can be more easily seen.
• Install an alarm system: An alarm system can deter thieves and alert you and others nearby if someone tries to break into your car.
• Don't leave valuables in plain sight, and always remember to remove items such as firearms from the vehicle when parking; especially in publicly accessible areas such as parking lots and driveways.

Additionally, the Meridian Police Department offers free gun locks which are available for pickup Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. Taking simple precautions like these can go a long way in preventing theft and keeping the community safe. The Meridian Police Department’s mission is to provide the highest quality service in partnership with the community to preserve and protect life and property through education, prevention and enforcement.  The department has 133 police officers and 41 non-sworn staff dedicated to making Meridian a great place to live, work and raise a family.