Drivers Leaving Items in Plain View Get Police Hint

Vehicles throughout South Pasadena are getting yellow slips left under their windshield wipers.

No, not parking tickets. They are courtesy notes from South Pasadena police, warning drivers they are encouraging a criminal to break into their vehicle by leaving personal belongings in plain view.

During the evening hours, police are checking parked cars throughout the community and leaving notes when they can see some of thieves’ favorite items.

According to a police review of thefts in the city, about 30% of the items taken from cars could be easily seen by passersby. Computers account for 5% of car thefts in the city; cellular telephones, 13%.