PUBLIC LANDS --  Vehicle break-ins are not uncommon at state parks and trailheads around the region. 

That was the focus of a post I made in April after a local climber returned to the parking area to find his car window smashed.

The post brought back bad memories for another reader, who writes this to help remind other recreationists to leave nothing valuable in their vehicles.

Your blog of a car broken into brings back bad memories.  We have had our Toyota Camry driver's side window smashed out, not once but twice while we were kayaking the Little Spokane last year.  Once we were parked at the painted Indian petroglyphs and once at the take out by the Spokane house.  Neither time did we have anything in the seats or floorboards of the car.

Both times they had popped the trunk with the inside lever.  We were smart enough to have nothing in the trunk either.  Both times were on weekdays as opposed to weekends.  Once there were about 15 cars in the parking lot but for some reason they picked our car to break into.  No one in the parking lot that we questioned had seen anything unusual. 

It is very frustrating.  It makes us not want to go kayaking.  

It would seem to me since it seems to happen so often the police would be more involved.  I often wonder if I should just leave my car unlocked with a note in the window that it is unlocked with nothing of value in it.  Perhaps that way they would open the door, check it out and leave it alone.

Wish there was a good solution.

Thanks for listening and pointing out the recent occurrence to the public.

Brent