Charlotte County’s sheriff reports an increase in crime at the start of the year.
He says most of the increase comes from motor vehicle thefts.
To date, the county has received reports of 152 thefts this year. It only had 71 at this point last year.
The sheriff has called 79 percent of this year’s car thefts unsecured.
He still calls the county one of the safest in the state, but people can still take the time to lock their vehicles and secure their property.