We need your help! A Message From Police Chief Mark Renkens To Prevent Vehicle Burglaries
By Mark Renkens, Palm Bay Police Chief // July 14, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Vehicle burglaries and thefts are the most common crimes in our community. They are also the most preventable. Of noteworthy concern is the theft of firearms.
In 2014 the Palm Bay Police Department had 435 reported vehicle burglaries which included a number of stolen firearms.
The stereotype of the bad guy wearing a ski mask breaking into homes and vehicles in the middle of the night is just not true.
The majority of residential burglaries happen during the day when the home is left unoccupied.
The majority of vehicle burglaries happen after dark.
Both are often crimes of opportunity and steps can be taken to prevent them.
• Keep your vehicles locked and windows closed. Remove all valuables from view or lock them in the trunk.
• Park your vehicle in a well-lighted area.
• Use a security alarm for your home and vehicle.
• Keep a list of serial numbers for valuable items such as cell phones, gaming systems, TV’s, Firearms, etc.
• Keep your garage door closed at all times. A large number of thefts are reported from open garages when the victims are home.
• If you own firearms in your home, keep them secured.
• Do not leave firearms unattended in vehicles.
• Immediately report suspicious activity to police.
In most cases these incidents are crimes of opportunity.
Open garage doors and unlocked vehicles make tempting targets for criminals. Lock your valuables and firearms and report suspicious activity to police. Working together we can make a positive difference.
The City of Palm Bay, Florida is located in east Central Florida. It is the second-largest municipality in the region with more than 109,000 residents living within 100 square miles.
In 2014 the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Uniform Crime Report showed Palm Bay as the 4th safest city of its size in the State of Florida.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chief Mark Renkens is a law enforcement professional who began his career with Palm Bay in November 1989. Prior to joining the Palm Bay Police Department, Chief Renkens served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years.
Chief Renkens has a master’s degree in administration of justice and security from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of the 212th Session of the FBI National Academy. He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute of Police and FBI’s Executive Development Program.
Chief Renkens has served the agency in a variety of disciplines to include field training officer, honor guard member, SWAT team member, and detective. He was promoted to sergeant in 2000 and served as a patrol supervisor, special operations supervisor, and traffic unit supervisor. In 2007, he was promoted to lieutenant and served as the code enforcement manager and patrol watch commander. In 2010, he was promoted to captain and served as the District 2 commander and support services commander. He was promoted to deputy chief in September of 2013 and is currently the Chief of Police.
