As the chill of winter tightens its grip on Morristown, locals are finding comfort in pre-warmed cars before venturing into the day. But the Morristown Police Department is urging citizens to reconsider the practice of leaving vehicles running unattended, according to a recent social media post from the City of Morristown - Government. The reminder comes as temperatures in the area plummet to 10 degrees, with the cold spell expected to persist.
Though no thefts were reported over the recent weekend, authorities emphasize that the number of cars stolen tends to climb as the thermometer dips. "Running vehicles left unlocked and unattended create a crime of opportunity for would-be criminals," the City of Morristown - Government stated. It's not illegal to leave your car running while unattended in your driveway, but it does open you up to unnecessary risk. Among safer alternatives suggested are the use of remote vehicle starters, which allow the car to run without the key in the ignition, or having two keys – one to start the vehicle and another to unlock it once you're ready to depart.
“Technology allows us to keep information or documents on our phones," the City of Morristown's statement reads, “Insurance cards should have the make, model and VIN number of your vehicle." Having this information, along with the license plate number, handy can expedite the process of entering the stolen vehicle into a database, increasing the likelihood of its recovery if encountered by law enforcement.
