IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY AND IT'S AS SIMPLE AS SHUTTING YOUR GARAGE DOOR.

ACCORDING TO THE VICTORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT A SPIKE IN GARAGE THEFTS HAVE INCREASED ALL ACROSS VICTORIA. AND VPD SAYS THOSE WHO LEAVE THEIR GARAGE DOORS OPEN ARE MAKING THEMSELVES AN EASY TARGET FOR THIEVES.

"They're taking lawn equipment, small tools, electric tools, air compressors, anything that's quick and easy to steal." VPD Crime Prevention Office Sherry Hornstein said.

TO GET WORD OUT ABOUT THE INCREASE IN GARAGE BURGLARIES, VPD CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS ARE TAKING TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS INFORMING RESIDENTS HOW THEY'RE SETTING THEMSELVES UP TO BE VICTIMS.

HORNSTINE SAYS MOST HOMEOWNERS ARE RECEPTIVE TO HER ADVICE ABOUT CLOSING THEIR GARAGE DOORS. ED KIRBY, LIKE MANY OTHERS OCCASIONALLY LEAVES HIS GARAGE DOOR OPEN WHEN HE'S HOME. BUT HORNSTINE SAYS THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE HOME DOESN'T MEAN A THIEF WILL SKIP OVER YOUR HOUSE. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THEY WANT, THEY'LL TAKE THE CHANCE OF STEALING IT.

"A lot of people are real trustful like myself, so it's good for somebody to remind you every once and a while that somebody will take what you have." Homeowner Ed Kirby said.

"I think it's a very good idea to keep your garage door down. We had a pot plant sitting out and it got stolen in broad day light." Homeowner Connie Stoneburner said.
BUT SOME HOMEOWNERS NEED NO REMINDING, JUST A FEW YEARS BACK, ANITA FOX WAS A VICTIM.

"I drove in my  garage, with the intentions of coming right back out, left the keys in the ignition, and the next thing I know, I hear my car cranking up, I look out in the garage and a young man is driving off in my car." Anita Fox said.

FOX GOT HER CAR BACK AND NOW ALWAYS CLOSES HER GARAGE DOOR BEHIND HER.

OFFICER HORNSTINE HOPES TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT GARAGE BURGLAIRES TO HOMEOWNERS BEFORE THEY BECOME VICTIMS.