A lot of automobiles are stolen in Central Utah each year. Most of the cars are abandoned or otherwise recovered, but still the loss is high – not to mention the inconvenience, frustration and expense caused the owners. Provo police confirm the accepted national conclusion that “the key is the key to curbing auto theft.” Too many people thoughtlessly leave their car keys in the vehcile as they “park for just a minute” while they run into the store or leave for any reason. Sometimes these people stretch the minute into many minutes long enough for a thief lurking in the area to slip into the car and drive away. Police say some people parking in their own driveway, carport, or garage and leave the key in the car. Nation – wide, thieves swipe nearly at million motor vehicles each year, 900,000 of them passenger cars. One is stolen every 32 seconds. One of every 129 registered vehicles was stolen in 1974. FBI statistics indicate that the per unit loss is now $1,500. for a truly awesome total of $1.5 billion per annum. The crime is still mostly committed by joyariding kids or others in need of brief transportation. But the inflated cost of the road machines has become an increasing lure to organized professionals in the business for profit. This is a serious trend, for it has counteracted the modernization of automobile security systems. Car locks are better today, which discourages many amateur thieves, but FBI officials say the growing number of professionals keep the theft rate rising at about 5 per cent each year. In Provo, there were 72 cases of auto theft in 1973-74, with 4 adult arrests made and 26 involving juveniles. In 1974-75. there were 121 cases, with 17 adult arrests and 19 juvenile cases. . Police advise the citizenry not to leave cars on the street if they can house them in garages or carports. If a garage, lock it. Remember to lock the car; in any eventdon’t leave the key in it. These precautions won’t stop the professional thief in all cases, but they will help a great deal. Another tip from Provo police: Don’t leave packages or other valuables in a car, even if it’s locked. This only increases the possibility of a break – in. Motarmng Skate Boards? On the press association wires the other day was a picture of two persons displaying a “motorized skate board.” Apparently that could be the latest wrinkle in the skate board carze – attaching motors. This seems, to us, a dangerous move with a great potential for serious accidents. Skate boards are used by many youngsters these days, apparently with a great deal of pleasure and a reasonable amount of safety. But attach motors, and what will happen? We think the authorities concerned with safety in toys should look into the motor idea quickly and move to stop motorizing if thorough investigation does indeed prove the idea hazardous. So They Say “New York is a federal city. Most of its functions only incidentally serve New York state. The same is true of most of the cities on the East Coast and also of Detroit, Chicago. Cleveland. These cities are no longer integral parts of their states; they serve larger constituencies. Yet organization, law and fiscal procedures do not reflect this reality.” – Independent presidential contender Eugene McCarthy.