The Hendersonville Police Department has enlisted the help of local gyms to curb vehicle thefts.
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Hendersonville Police Department has enlisted the help of local gyms to curb vehicle thefts.
On Monday, the department handed out informational fliers to nearby fitness centers. The signs remind the public of proper safety practices when parking their vehicles in gym parking lots.
“Most of the gyms in the area were very proactive with us and said, ‘If you would like to put it on, go ahead and put it on,’” said Matthew Sigmund, Community Engagement Officer for HPD. “And all the other gyms in the area took multiple to put inside the gym, in the locker room… stuff like that.”
Vehicle burglaries at fitness centers are not a new crime trend. It is, however, something that Hendersonville police said is on the rise in and around Nashville.
Back in August, News 2 reported on a string of vehicle thefts in Hendersonville, including a case where a car was stolen from Planet Fitness after the victim left his keys in an unsecured locker inside the gym.
“Please lock your stuff, and if you are taking your stuff, which we prefer, taking it from your car to the locker in the gym, make sure you lock it up with a padlock,” said Sigmund.
At least fifteen different gyms and fitness centers were contacted by HPD to help post the signs, according to Sigmund. He said there is no specific gym in Hendersonville that has been targeted more than others.
“It’s nationwide. They target different types of areas, but mostly gyms and fitness centers, because most likely they’ll be hanging out in the area watching you go in, so they know they have at least 30 minutes,” Sigmund explained. “One gym even said ‘we haven’t one in about a year, so we’re due for another vehicle burglary happening.’”
Sigmund said these thefts often happen during the day, which is when gyms are most busy. News 2 asked him what he believes is the biggest misconception surrounding vehicle thefts and burglaries.
“It won’t happen to me,” Sigmund answered. “It’s never happened to me in 30, 40, 50 years, so it’s not going to happen! It can happen to anybody. We’re working a lot of cases where people get their stuff stolen from their lockers, inside the gym, on top of outside the gym.”
On the signs now posted on many Hendersonville gyms, a non-emergency number is listed for reporting suspicious activity. People are asked to call 615-451-3838 to report the activity.