Editorials

Editorial: Lock your doors, even in Southold

It’s not all that common, nor is it as rare as a solar eclipse, but from time to time thieves target parked cars out here. Such was the case in Mattituck and Cutchogue last week when a person or persons as yet unknown made off with a number of GPS units and other pricey items. They didn’t need much help, since all the vehicles were unlocked.

Yes, we’re far removed from city streets where such things might be expected, but this is not the middle of nowhere. Was/were the thief/thieves simply down on their luck or in need of drug money? It really doesn’t matter. True, the streets aren’t lined with roving gangs, but a quick read of our police news page most weeks indicates that there are thieves out there.

There’s an old semi-serious saying that encapsulates our faith, if not naïveté: “It never rains in Florida and there’s no crime in Southold.” As much as we’d like to believe it, neither is true. But Southold is still Southold, meaning a damn good place to live and far safer than some communities not that far removed. But it’s best not to take any chances. Razor wire and attack dogs? No. Still, lock your doors, home and vehicle. Don’t make it easy to become a victim.