Parents are reminded to not leave valuables in cars when dropping their children off at West University Elementary School.
Principal John Threet sent a letter to parents on Tuesday about a car burglary that occurred near the school and asked parents to be alert and aware of suspicious activity.
Threet said a purse was stolen from a car parked in front of Beehive pre-school while the parent brought her child to class on Tuesday.
Threet also said the school reported an increase in car burglaries before the winter holidays after a teacher had her purse stolen at a nearby shopping center.
“Please do not leave any valuables, especially your purse, in plain sight when you come into the school or to a store. Take your purse with you,” Threet said. “I was told by a police officer that crooks will watch for women entering schools or shops to see if they are carrying their purse. If not, the criminal will look to see if it is in the vehicle where it can easily be stolen.”
Capt. Thad Olive told InstantNewsWestU that purses should never be left out in plain sight.
The entire text of Threet’s letter is as follows:
“Dear Parents:
“This morning a car belonging to one of the Beehive parents was broken into while the parent took her child to class. The vehicle window was broken and a purse was stolen. The car was parked on Goode Street right in front of Beehive. Beehive personnel contacted the City of West University Place Police Department who are investigating this incident.
“Just before the Winter Holidays, we reported an increase in these type of crimes in our area. One of our teachers experienced the same thing when her vehicle window was smashed and her purse stolen at a nearby shopping center.
“Please do not leave any valuables, especially your purse, in plain sight when you come into the school or to a store. Take your purse with you. I was told by a police officer that crooks will watch for women entering schools or shops to see if they are carrying their purse. If not, the criminal will look to see if it is in the vehicle where it can easily be stolen.
“Please also keep a watch out for suspicious vehicles or people during morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal. Please report any suspicious activity immediately to the West University Police Department or the school office. As I always tell teachers, if it doesn’t like right, it probably isn’t.
“If all of us are more alert, we can hopefully serve as a deterrent for anyone attempting any other crime in our community.
“Sincerely,
“John Threet, Principal”
