FRESNO (KMJ) — If you thought graduating high school meant report cards were a thing of the past – then Fresno Police might have a surprise for you.
Officers are using report card style reminders to help bring down the number of thefts from cars.
The long narrow cards are now appearing on windshields across north-west Fresno – to let drivers know whether or not they're inadvertently tempting potential thieves.
Volunteers with Fresno PD's 'Citizen's Patrol' are touring large parking lots – checking vehicles as they go.
"You can see on the report card it says 'was your car unlocked', 'were your windows down', 'did you have valuables sitting in your car'", says Lieutenant John Papleo
The North West Fresno commander says the idea was developed two years ago – but was recently brought back to combat a rise in thefts.
"They fill out this report card and put it on your window so you're aware of the things that can make you a potential victim".
He adds that they've already seen a reduction in the number of vehicle break-ins – since they started using the report cards.
But he says it's not a citation – just a warning – to make sure you're not leaving yourself open to being the next victim of crime.
