As the chilly winds of winter begin to sweep across Haltom City, police are warning residents to stay vigilant against a seasonal spike in auto thefts and burglaries. The Haltom City Police Department took to social media to highlight a troubling pattern: as temperatures drop, the rate of these crimes tends to rise.
One of the primary concerns mentioned by the department is the habit of people starting their cars to warm them up and then "run back inside real quick" for just a moment—a moment long enough for thieves to make their move. The Haltom City Police Department stated, "We've had more cars stolen this way than any other method." Additionally, the comfort provided by remote start features can lead to a false sense of security among car owners when they leave their vehicles unattended while warming up. The visible steam from exhaust pipes serves as a beacon for opportunists looking not only to steal cars but to bust windows and grab valuables such as purses and other belongings left in plain sight inside the warming vehicles.
To combat this uptick in crime, the Haltom City Police strongly advocate for proactive measures. They advise residents to "keep an eye on" their car if using the remote start feature and to refrain from leaving any valuable items in their cars overnight, especially firearms, which, as noted, are frequently seen left inside vehicles by the local police. The department stresses the importance of never leaving valuables in one's car as part of a broader strategy to make Haltom City a "hard target" for thieves.
