WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Authorities in Central Florida routinely remind residents to lock their car doors to prevent thefts, but one police agency is now going the extra mile, a move that's not sitting well with some.
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Police in Winter Haven say there have been dozens of car break-ins in 2015, ranging from shopping centers to neighborhoods.
To stem the thefts, Winter Haven police have started locking car doors they find unlocked.
"If a door is unlocked, (officers will) fill out their information so the person can contact the (police) if they want to, and they'll put it on the seat and lock the door behind them," a police representative told WTSP-TV.
The tactic has irked some residents, a few of whom claimed that police locked their car keys inside their vehicles. Others think it's a good idea.
Police urge drivers to lock their doors, adding that drivers should park in highly visible and well-illuminated areas. Police also said valuables should be placed out of sight.