ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Altamonte Springs police have implemented a new system to prevent law enforcement officers and first responders from becoming victims of car thefts.
Marked and unmarked vehicles of law enforcement officers have become targets for burglars over the past year, with items such as guns and expensive equipment getting stolen.
“It has been in the news before that police officers’ vehicles have been broken into and things like guns and vests and badges have been taken,” said Evelyn Estevez, of the Altamonte Springs Police Department.
There have been three recent cases of thieves breaking into the vehicle of Altamonte Springs officers and getting away with an agency jacket and rifle.
Last week, cars belonging to Orlando firefighters were broken into while the firefighters were on the job during Hurricane Matthew.
“It’s a huge concern. As the public knows, police officers carry a lot of expensive equipment and also handguns and long guns in our vehicles,” said Estevez.
The Police Department has spent $12,000 of grant money to equip 50 marked vehicles with alarms.
Officers are already required to place weapons in their trunks if they are off-duty or away from the vehicle.
And starting this year, all new vehicles will have a safe in the trunk, to add an extra layer of protection.
But stolen guns aren’t the only potential hazard.
“You know, it’s not just the handguns that we’re worried about. It’s about getting badges and being able to impersonate a police officer, and get their hands on bulletproof vests,” Estevez said.
The Police Department has more than 50 sworn officers and said most of the officers who drive marked vehicles will be covered.
One of the officers whose vehicle was broken into was disciplined because the rifle wasn’t secure.