Adept Herald readers have surely spotted a trend in the headlines over the past few days: Unlocked cars are being stolen in Austin. In other words, it’s a great time to remind residents to always lock their vehicles, no matter the circumstances.

More than a few residents can recall the days when people could leave their keys in the ignition with no fear their car would be stolen. That hasn’t been a wise move for several decades, and it is becoming increasingly apparent those who leave their car unlocked on a regular basis are demonstrating poor judgment.

By our count, at least four unlocked cars have been stolen over the past month from various areas around Austin. Earlier this month, someone stole a car which had two firearms: a SKS assault rifle and a pistol. Set aside the fact storing firearms in a car is clearly unwise — leaving a car that contains valuables unlocked will almost always lead to trouble.

It’s easy to forget your car is unlocked, but the recent string of car thefts show there are people out there who will take advantage of a momentary lapse in judgment. Residents need to be aware of their belongings and be sure to secure their cars and homes at night.