Symmes Township issued a public safety alert on July 31, urging residents to lock their vehicles and remove valuables after what the township called a rise in car thefts across Hamilton County.
The alert, posted on the township's official CivicAlerts page, tells residents to take keys with them every time they park and to bring inside anything that might tempt a thief, including purses, electronics, and shopping bags.
The township did not cite specific theft numbers for Symmes or a defined timeframe for the increase.
A countywide pattern
The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, which provides contract law enforcement for Symmes Township, has identified a consistent method behind most local auto thefts: thieves walk through neighborhoods and parking lots pulling door handles until they find a vehicle with a key fob left inside.
Deputy Kevin Wanner of the Sheriff's Office described the problem in the Anderson Township newsletter published in April 2026. "Most auto thefts are crimes of opportunity," Wanner said. "Just a few daily habits can help prevent most of them from occurring."
The same office patrols both Anderson and Symmes townships. In Anderson, 18 auto thefts were reported in 2025, nearly a 50% drop from 34 in 2024 and the lowest annual total in four years. Even there, leaving a key fob in the vehicle remained the most common way cars were stolen, whether the doors were locked or not.
What residents should do
The township's alert boils down to three steps:
- Lock your car every time you leave it.
- Take your keys or key fob with you.
- Remove purses, electronics, shopping bags, and other valuables from view.
The Sheriff's Office has also warned that owners of 2011–2022 Hyundai or Kia vehicles should check whether their model needs a software update, because some of those cars lacked engine immobilizers and remain easier targets.
Residents who witness suspicious activity can contact the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line or call 911 for crimes in progress.
