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Jump start your day with a cold brew coffee and sand volleyball before squeezing in a spa treatment and an afternoon of shopping. And as the sun begins to set, gather family and friends for dinner and drinks under the stars. Whether you’re in the shops, on the Plaza, or at the park, you’ll find new ways to spend the day at Waterside Place every time you come. Our year-round events, Sunday farmers’ market and weekly live music are open to everyone.

Vehicle Burglaries In

MANATEE

County

Where incidents are increasing: Manatee County communities along major thoroughfares such as I-75 Increase in vehicle burglaries since January: 27.8%

What residents can do: Lock their vehicles and make sure not to store valuables in their vehicles

Holden urges residents to lock their vehicles, as well as remove any items of value.

“Don’t put anything in your vehicle that you would feel bad about being taken from you. Obviously, that goes without saying.”

He said some residents have lost firearms that were stored in their vehicles. Others leave their keys in their cars, an invitation to steal the vehicle.

In response to the burglaries, the amount of patrolling by the Sheriff’s Office has increased in the affected areas, he said. He said staff will patrol communities in areas such as Lakewood Ranch, both in patrol cars and in undercover vehicles.

“We saturate these neighborhoods as much as we possibly can,” Holden said. “We’re patrolling long after you’re in bed.”

He said the department tries to keep up with the crime trends.

“We’re moving people’s schedules around, we’re changing the hours, we’re pulling from other areas of the agency.”

Johnson said the patrol, intel and criminal investigations divisions have identified some offenders and that arrests have been made and warrants written. The daily communication with other agencies has provided assistance in this area, he said.

However, Holden said law enforcement cannot be everywhere at once, and residents still must take responsibility for their property.

“We can always try harder, obviously,” he said. “Looking at these particular trends, the key to it is for the owner of the property, whether it’s car, whether it’s a house, whether it’s a business or whatever — safeguard your belongings. Don’t make it attractive for these criminals to victimize you. It’s a simple push of a button or locking the car.”