Altona's Police Department is continuing the Lock It or Lose It campaign, an initiative that encourages people to lock their vehicles. Officers go around to inspect cars and leave behind a report card indicating their risk for theft.

Keeping valuables out of cars is a good way to protect yourself from theft

Police Chief Perry Batchelor said a good way to protect yourself is by taking valuables out of plain sight.

"The whole idea of the lock it or lose it campaign is to really again just encourage people to lock up their valuables and remove valuables from their car, even if they are locking their vehicles," he said.

Batchelor also reminded residents to lock up their houses, bikes, campers and sheds and noted that the town has noticed an increase of theft this summer.

He noted officers responded to several calls this past weekend alone including two separate cases of golf equipment theft. Other missing items include bikes, keys and passports. Batchelor added thieves even made off with loose change, a portable GPS unit, sunglasses and a tackle box.

He said the last time the town experienced an increase of theft, it was drug-related.

"The last time we went through this it was meth-related, so folks are looking for money for their next fix. But at this point we really don't know, we'll know more when we catch up with these individuals," said Batchelor.

Lastly, Batchelor wants to remind motorists to look out for pedestrians. With fall coming up, and days becoming shorter, it can be harder to spot pedestrians and vehicles, he said.