LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Little Rock Police Department says thirty automobiles were recently broken into during a three-week period. Most of the break-ins happened in the River Market area downtown, but any vehicle anywhere is a potential target. As Edgefest and Riverfest approach, Lt. Terry Hastings offers the following statement and tips to protect yourself from becoming a victim:

"Beginning [Friday] the LRPD will set up teams to work on these crimes. We will use uniformed patrol officers, bicycle officers, officers on horse back, officers on Segways, and undercover officers to stop these crimes. We will also be using bait cars as part of our tactics to stop these crimes. If you are a criminal and you are thinking about breaking in a vehicle, you need to know that that vehicle may be a bait car under the observation of LRPD Officers. The effort will not just be in the Downtown area alone, but will include the entire city.