Leaving keys in vehicles no excuse for car theft

The July 22 article (“No excuse for leaving keys in vehicle, police say”) concerning the culpability of citizens who leave their keys in their cars, later stolen, was exactly backward. The victim is never the cause. People should be able to leave their cars unlocked, keyed or even running with the door open if they choose. Any person who takes it is a criminal and must be captured and imprisoned.

Don't abet bad behavior by making excuses, such as “Why shouldn't I have gotten in, the door wasn't locked” or “It's not my fault, she was dressed provocatively (rape).”

I don't want to live in a place where my things will be taken if I fail to secure everything and turn my residence into a fortress. You shouldn't want to, either.

Instead of berating good, honest Americans for leaving their keys in their vehicles, the headline should have read, “Police say leaving keys in vehicles is no excuse for car theft.” That is the proper mindset.

Dale Fry

Keswick