Auto break-ins rising in downtown Cincy

The Cincinnati Post has published another report about how motor vehicle break-ins are on the increase in downtown Cincinnati. Break-ins have jumped 35 percent in the first four months of the year in comparison to 2004, with more than 500 reported since January, according to the Cincinnati Post.

In a forum admittedly designed to blunt a growing perception that it is unsafe to travel to the area, police Downtown Services Unit Commander Lt. Mike Neville had some advice to prevent theft which is going to be hard for Ohio's Concealed Handgun License-holders to follow:

"I want everyone to feel that downtown is as safe and thriving as it really is," he said.

Neville urged the public to keep valuables out of plain view, lock vehicles and set alarms to deter thieves.

Thanks to the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Governor Bob Taft, storing a valuable (and loaded) firearm out of plain sight is not an option for the state’s 52,000+ CHL-holders.

This ridiculous, unnecessary provision has already contributed to several stolen firearms being put into circulation, and it will no doubt continue to until the General Assembly removes the "plain sight" provision from the law.