In a recent social media post from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, a staggering statistic was shared concerning the security of firearms in the local area. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office post, detailed that "84% of guns stolen from cars this year were taken from unlocked vehicles." The message was a clear-cut call to action for residents: to diligently lock their automobiles. The growing number of these incidents has prompted the Sheriff's Office to increase efforts to remind the community about basic vehicle security measures.
The statistics shared are quite alarming: out of 693 auto burglaries reported in Jacksonville so far in 2025, 404 involved cars that owners had left unlocked. These numbers aren't just figures to gloss over; they represent a stark reality. The Sheriff's Office further emphasized the bigger picture, pointing out that these burglaries are not solely about personal loss. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, "This isn’t just about losing your belongings — it’s about keeping guns off the street and protecting our community." Subsequently, the Sheriff's Office punctuated their alert with a succinct directive: "Lock it or lose it. Every time."
The implications of these thefts stretch far beyond the mere loss of property. When firearms are taken from unlocked vehicles, they unavoidably find their way onto the streets, potentially to be misused in criminal activities. The social media post, which includes a video, is part of the Sheriff's Office's ongoing campaign to curb such occurrences by enforcing proactive behaviors among car owners.
The video posted, which can be viewed on the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Facebook page at this link, features a breakdown of the car burglaries and the number of guns stolen. In total, 89 guns were reported stolen, with a remarkable 75 snatched from vehicles that were not locked.
