ACADIA PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- With thefts and vehicle burglaries on the rise in Acadia Parish, Sheriff K.P. Gibson is urging the public to keep their valuables safe and to remember to lock their vehicle doors.

In a news release Wednesday, Sheriff Gibson asked the public to remove valuables from vehicles, secure them somewhere safe and to lock car doors to avoid being a victim of crime.

"I understand that it is a choice or right for every vehicle owner to be able to keep whatever they want inside of their vehicles, but criminals are not concerned about your rights," the sheriff said.

Gibson said the department rarely sees "smash and grab" thefts from vehicles. Rather, it is more common for thefts to occur from unlocked cars.

"The criminals simply get dropped off in an area and pull on every door handle available to them. If they pull on 100 door handles and 10 vehicles are not secured, they have had a good night," Gibson said.

He said the sheriff's office has received reports of guns, brief cases, computers, purses and cash being stolen from unlocked vehicles.

"We live in a world where if our property is not secured, it will likely be stolen. Drugs have taken over communities, the courts are overwhelmed and hardworking people are frustrated. And so am I," Gibson said.

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