Durham Reporter

Durham Police Department issued the following announcement on Sep 11. 

The Durham Police Department has noticed a recent increase in the reporting of stolen firearms, especially from vehicle break-ins.

There were 261 firearms reported stolen to the Durham Police Department between January 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021. Gun thefts are up 4 percent from the 258 guns stolen in 2020, and up 15 percent from the 233 guns stolen in 2019. More than half (51.7%) of the firearms were reported stolen from vehicles. The majority of the vehicles were unlocked, and many were parked in residential locations. 

The Durham Police Department is asking the community to secure their vehicles when left unattended and has provided tips to prevent future thefts of guns and other valuables that are left inside vehicles.  

• Remove firearms from unattended vehicles.

·         If you can’t remove the gun, do not leave the firearm in plain sight such as on an open console, on the floorboard, on a seat or in a door pocket.

• Put it in a secure gun safe or lockbox, preferably in the locked trunk of your vehicle.

• Lock your vehicle doors.

• Remove keys from the vehicle.

• Secure firearms in a lockbox or gun safe in the home.

• Record all serial numbers for firearms so that if they are stolen, they will be easier to return if recovered. 

Anyone with information about gun thefts is asked to call CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.

 Original source can be found here.