A recent spate of stolen guns from unlocked cars in Salina has Interim Police Chief Sean Morton reminding citizens to take precautions to stop crime.

“Lock your cars, your homes and secure your firearms,” Morton said during a morning briefing with local media.

Morton says over the past week, five guns have been stolen from vehicles in Salina, a statistic he says makes the city more dangerous for his officers and everyone living here.

“We are seeing an increase in vehicle thefts, so please double check your car locks, your home and secure your property.”

Between October 5th and October 7th the Salina Police Department worked five vehicle burglaries in central Salina involving the theft of firearms. Most, if not all, of these vehicles were unlocked at the time of the theft. These firearms will potentially be used to commit other crimes, which makes the Salina community and law enforcement less safe.

The police department is asking for the public’s assistance in securing their belongings. Be sure to lock your vehicle when unattended. If it can be avoided, don’t store valuables in your vehicle. Citizens should also keep their homes secure by locking doors and windows.

By securing your vehicle and reducing your risk of becoming a target, you can save yourself a lot of frustration, stress, and interruption to your daily life. The following are a few simple steps to ensure your car and the valuables in your car are less attractive to thieves. You should always secure your vehicle, even if you’re parking for “just a minute.” Do this by:

• Removing your keys from the ignition and don’t store them in your car.
• Locking all doors.
• Closing all windows.
• Parking in a well-lit area.
• Removing all valuables including weapons, or lock valuables in the trunk of the car.

If you see something suspicious please call the police.

If you have information relative to these recent vehicle burglaries and gun thefts call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an on—line tip at: https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210.