Gulfport sees increase in car break-ins

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV) –Gulfport Police Department says the city has seen a recent increase in vehicle break-ins, with many of the cars being burglarized while unlock.

It’s a problem all across the United States: burglars breaking into cars and stealing any valuables that they can find.

The Gulfport Police Department is warning of a recent surge in vehicle break-ins, many of which have one common theme.

“So late last week into this weekend, we noticed an uptick of vehicle burglaries,” GPD Public Information Officer Jason Ducre explained. “The majority of these burglaries were unlocked vehicles, and so this is a crime of opportunity. It’s up to us as community members to limit these opportunities for these criminals.”

It’s unclear whether most of these vehicles were left unlocked accidentally or on purpose. Regardless, Lt. Ducre says the department is encouraging everyone to follow a routine and check their vehicles.

“I think a lot of it is, ‘It won’t happen to me,'” Ducre said. “Sometimes its forgetfulness — we’re doing 20 things before we go in the house or get out of the car. We’re just trying to run in and get in the AC or whatever. We might just forget. So that’s why it’s important to have a routine. At 9 o’clock, 8 o’clock, whenever you go to bed, just make sure you double check. Hit your key fob or go outside, make sure your door is locked. It’s a small thing.”

Several guns were among the items stolen in the string of burglaries. While this is simply a frustrating inconvenience for the gun’s owner, it can have dire consequences once that gun is in the wrong hands.

“Too often, they don’t think where that gun ends up,” Ducre said. “It’s going to end up in the hands of a teenager that’s breaking in cars that night, or it’s going to end up involved in a crime.”

These recent crimes are specific to Gulfport, but car break-ins can happen anywhere. That’s why it’s best to be safe rather than sorry, no matter how safe your neighborhood might seem.

“It’s 2025,” Ducre said. “We live in a world where you have to lock your things. We can’t go by the honor system. Make sure your things are locked. If you’re going to be a gun owner, be a responsible gun owner.”