Full Notification

The Sheboygan Police Department and Sheboygan Law Enforcement Explorer Post 2881 are working to prevent thefts from vehicles through a new program.

The “Vehicle Courtesy Check” program will team up youth Law Enforcement Explorers with the department’s neighborhood officers to inspect vehicles parked in public spaces.  They will be looking for obvious risk factors of thefts such as unlocked doors, open windows, or valuable items like purses, GPS units, or cell phones left out in the open.

Thefts from vehicles are one of the most prevalent types of theft, most of which involve valuables left in plain view inside unlocked vehicles.  Virtually all of these thefts are preventable by adopting a few simple practices.  Our vehicle inspection program is an opportunity to reinforce the good habits many people already have of securing their vehicles and removing valuable items, and to discuss better prevention habits with those who don't.

Explorers will leave a courtesy check card on all inspected vehicles, thanking the owners of passing vehicles for their help in preventing crime and reminding owners of failing vehicles that they can have an impact on their likelihood of victimization.  Additionally, the neighborhood officer assigned to the area where inspections are conducted will be following up one-on-one with owners of failing vehicles to correct the risk factors on the spot and offer other crime prevention tips to improve their property's resistance to crime.

Only vehicles which are parked on the street or in public parking lots will be inspected, and the report card will be based on the factors that are observable through the vehicle’s windows – pulling on door handles will not be necessary.  Inspections will take place in the evening hours to help facilitate the most contacts with community members to reinforce the goal of preventing thefts, and will be conducted through the summer months when such thefts are most likely to occur as a means of helping deter crimes in targeted areas.

Each of us has a part in helping reduce the chance of becoming a victim of crime, and your attention to securing your property every time you get out of your vehicle goes a long way in improving public safety for everyone.

Please contact Sgt. Kurt Zempel with any questions about the Vehicle Courtesy Check program at 920-459-3333 or [email protected].