Neighborhood Watch Alerts

Gym Theft - Lock Up Your Valuables!

Posted on January 12, 2021 6:37 PM by Bonnie Straight

Theft from gyms is a real concern for patrons who are trying to maintain or improve their health. Often, gym lockers contain jewelry, wallets, and car or house keys, but locker rooms typically have no security cameras (ensuring privacy). Last year, police arrested a female who was entering local gyms, taking keys left unsecured in the gym lockers, and then using the keys to open the victim’s car in the adjacent parking lot to steal items. Recently, two vehicle break-ins at local gyms were reported to police. With many health-conscious residents welcoming the year 2021 by joining gyms as their New Year’s resolution (with Covid restrictions in place), please keep these security tips in mind:

Lock it. Always use a gym locker and dependable lock when storing items such as wallets, car keys, or clothing. Most gyms have locks they can loan you if you don’t have one or left it at home. Even if you don’t plan on staying very long, lock up and secure all items, and be sure the lock is locked! (Thieves have been known to tug down hard on the lock to check if it’s secured.)
Hide it. If you plan on leaving valuables locked in your vehicle, make sure they are not in plain sight. Place purses or wallets in a glove compartment, under the seat, or in the trunk to deter thieves from breaking into your car.
Keep it. The best practice is to leave valuable items at home if not absolutely needed.

Be alert to suspicious behavior and if you observe someone loitering around your vehicle, notify the gym staff immediately. Your focus at the gym should be exercise (not theft), so be sure to take steps to improve your security, as well as your physical health!

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