Freeport village police have been leaving notices aimed at preventing break-ins inside vehicles they found with unlocked doors.

Jennifer Winters, vice president of the South Freeport Civic Association, says while some residents may agree with the sentiment, others think the method is all wrong and could even be illegal.

Village Mayor Robert Kennedy says the notices were meant to encourage residents to remain vigilant. He says 80 percent of Freeport's auto larcenies are the result of unlocked doors.

Winters suggests finding a different way to get the point across, so people won't feel like they're being violated by both police and potential thieves.

Kennedy says he has ordered officers to stop putting flyers inside of unlocked cars until he can check with his legal team on Monday.

Civic association leaders say they plan on meeting with village officials to address concerns.