Manchester police warns of 'alarming' number of gun thefts
Concerns are growing in Manchester after police said an “alarming” number of guns are being stolen across the city.
“Many of these cases when these guns are stolen a lot of times they fall into the hands of the wrong people and then they're used in the commission of a crime,” said Heather Hamel, spokesperson for Manchester police.
Police said in 2022 alone, 73 guns in Manchester have been stolen, 43 of them taken from unlocked cars.
"It's avoidable if you lock your door,” Hamel said.
The uptick in theft comes as the city also sees an increase in gun-related incidents.
>> Gun-related crimes in Manchester rise, police chief says
Bob Boilard is the program director at Defensive Strategies in Manchester.
“This is happening. This is concerning,” Boilard said. “And we're hoping that gun owners can be responsible and make sure if they are going to store their gun in their car to make sure that it's locked up."
In his firearm safety courses, he said he teaches gun owners to properly store their weapons.
"Cars are easy thing you know, you got four access points to most vehicles, four doors,” Boilard said. “And it's a very quick take.”
Boilard keeps a lockbox in his car to make sure his gun is safe when he can't carry it.
"This is a $25 investment on Amazon,” Boilard said. “It's all it takes.”
He said steps like this can keep a gun out of the wrong person's hands.
Police said even if you don't have a gun, this is also a reminder to always lock your car doors.