Operation Key Fob

A Simple Nightly Habit Can Make a Big Difference.

 

Did you know that most vehicle burglaries happen in unlocked cars? According to Baton Rouge law enforcement, a staggering 68% of vehicle break-ins involve cars that were left unlocked. Even more troubling, 21% of these burglaries result in stolen firearms, with 300 guns taken from vehicles last year alone and 150 already stolen this year.

 

“Operation Key Fob is a grassroots initiative aimed at curbing the rise in vehicle burglaries,” explains Gary Patureau, leader of the campaign. Supported by Mayor-President Sid Edwards, Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse and Captain Justin Payer from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, the message is clear: Lock your vehicles nightly at 9 p.m.—ideally from the comfort of your home using your key fob.

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Leaving valuables such as purses, electronics, and especially firearms in your car puts you and your neighbors at risk. Criminals often return to areas where they’ve previously found easy targets. Not only do these thefts endanger individual victims, but they also compromise overall community safety.

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Law enforcement is actively backing this initiative with social media campaigns, drones, bait cars, and community outreach. They urge residents to report suspicious activity directly to police rather than just posting online. Each preventable burglary strains police resources, diverting manpower from more serious crimes. As Chief Morse puts it, “A nightly habit of pressing the lock button can make a significant impact on community safety.”

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• Remove all valuables from your car—especially guns, purses, and electronics.

• Lock your car doors every night at 9 p.m.

• Report any suspicious activity directly to the police.

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“Use your phone alarm to remind you at 9:00 pm each night - then, from the comfort of your kitchen, lock all you vehicle doors with your key fob”.

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Let’s work together to keep our neighborhood safe. Adopting this simple routine not only protects your property but also helps law enforcement focus on keeping our community secure. Make it a habit—lock your car and remove your valuables tonight.

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October 2025