As the snow begins to melt and the days grow longer, another phenomena seems to frequent the twin cities area—car break-ins.

According to local police officer Chaunte Ford, car break-ins heighten in occurrence as the warmer weather appears.

“Car break-ins are pretty common. I would say more so in the spring and summer but they do happen all year-round,” Ford said. “It’s a crime of opportunity. People will specifically go to an area where there are lot’s of cars like gyms and lakes, places where people will leave things like purses and wallets in there.”

According to Interactive crime maps since the beginning of March, car break-ins have increased, contributing to over a quarter of all crime in the Lake Calhoun area, numbering over 80. These reports display a sharp contrast to the mere 45 break-ins which occurred for the entirety of both March and April of last year.

Ford said criminals who break into cars are usually looking for a way to get an immediate profit off of valuables inside the car.

“(Car break-ins are) just a quick crime to get something, like electronics,” Ford said. “(Criminals look for) laptops, phones, wallets or anything worth of value in a car that they can turn over and sell really quickly. It’s just really easy to make a quick buck for criminals that could be committed at any time.”

Junior Jasmine Tchida said she remembers when her friend’s car was broken-into over the summer.

“It was very hectic and very scary. We were at the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis and after we came back to the car we noticed the window was smashed in,” Tchida said. “Surprisingly, only one dollar was stolen. I tried to be calm because everyone else I was with was very scared. I called the cops and they helped us sort everything out.”

According to Sophomore Nyah Johnson, she felt fear and frustration when her car was broken-into last year.

“They broke my passenger window and stole my backpack. It was very scary,” Johnson said. “I didn’t know if I was supposed to call the police or if I was supposed to move. I was just so confused and upset with the situation and that they took my stuff.”

Ford said in order to avoid car break-ins, keeping valuables with you works best.

“Everybody in general (shouldn’t) have anything worth of value in your car,” Ford said. “Unless you have (a) trunk that’s not visible and put everything worth of value in the trunk, don’t keep anything worth of value in the car. It’s not worth it.”

Johnson said after her car was broken-into, she thought of ideas on how to better ensure the safety of her car.

“I’d say I hide all my stuff now. I put all my belongings in the trunk when I go to work,” Johnson said. “I’d keep the doors locked and don’t park in sketchy areas. If it’s at night, park under a light or something.”

According to Ford, the best way to respond when your car has been broken-into is to simply call the police.

“(If your car is broken-into) just call the police department. We have a non-emergency phone number” Ford said. “If you’re here in St. Louis Park, just give us a call and we’ll send someone. While waiting for the officer, make a list of everything that you believe was taken, have (your) ID ready and just wait for the officer.”