Salina Police are strongly encouraging residents to help lessen crimes of opportunity in the city.

According to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus, a rash of vehicle burglaries has happened in the city recently, with 14 occurring within the past week.

“A lot of vehicle burglaries are occurring because items of value are left in view or vehicles are left unlocked,” Hanus said.

In the 14 most recent vehicle burglaries, six vehicles were left unlocked and five others were locked with key fobs but were not checked to make sure the vehicles actually locked, Hanus said.

According to Hanus, it is easy for people to help lessen the number of vehicle burglaries:

• Don’t leave valuables in vehicles
• Make sure vehicles are locked