School's back — and so are thieves

"The month of September has been very bad for car break-ins," Const. Caroline Gauthier said this week. "Between Sept. 1 and 20, we had 25 cases of thefts from vehicles in Westmount."

Three of these thefts occurred on Arlington Avenue on the night of Sept. 14, said Gauthier, who added that plainclothes officers have been on duty in Westmount to keep an eye on the situation.

Leaving valuables in plain view is just an open invitation to thieves. Expensive and portable items such as iPods and laptop computers are among those most frequently stolen, as it is relatively easy for anyone to break the car window, quickly reach inside and grab them.

Gauthier also warns parents of students that schoolbags left in view on a car seat are also attractive targets for thieves because they know they often contain laptops.

Residents are urged to call 911 if they spot anyone breaking into a vehicle.

Another result of the back-to-school period is the tangle of traffic outside local schools each morning and afternoon.

"People must learn to respect the speed limits and the posted regulations," Gauthier said. "We see a lot of parents double-parking at the schools while waiting for their children — it's very dangerous."