MONUMENT, CO – Criminals think people in Monument are ‘stupid’ and are easy targets for property theft, according to the town’s police chief.
Chief Jacob Shirk posted on the town’s Facebook page Tuesday that “(criminals) view our community as having ‘nice cars’ and ‘money,’ and that our citizens are ‘stupid’ because they leave their cars unlocked.”
Shirk says his department has investigated nearly 40 property thefts from unlocked cars or open garages in the past month. “It’s not break-ins, these cars are all left unlocked,” Shirk said. “I think (Monument residents) ought to have their feelings hurt (by the criminals’ insults). I think they ought to take that serious that we’ve got criminals out there calling our folks stupid. I take offense to that.”
Shirk says the problem of garages open overnight is to the point where officers will begin patrolling for them. “During the middle of the night, we’re driving around and if we see garage doors open, you can expect a knock on your door at 3:00 a.m. to let you know,” Shirk said.
“You should never just leave your doors open or your cars unlocked,” said Monument resident Marcie Phelps. She says her neighborhood is aware of a recent theft. “Somebody broke in, got the garage door opener and came back later that night and broke in by opening up the garage and going in while they were home,” Phelps said.
“If you leave that door open, folks are going to take advantage of it, and that’s exactly what’s happened up here,” Shirk said.
Monument residents who witness illegal entry into a home or vehicle, or who observe suspicious activity, are asked to call the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office dispatch line at (719) 390-5555.
