[drpix]

Was he warming up the car with the doors unlocked? With remote starters, most jurisdictions allow running the car engine of an unoccupied car - as long as the doors are locked.

What makes it a police concern is that doing otherwise is inviting auto theft, which is a police matter.

[citizen]

"What makes it a police concern is that doing otherwise is inviting auto theft, which is a police matter. "

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hmmm Leaving the garage door open is similarly inviting property theft. Our Police State masters must write a revenue-generating ticket. It's for our own good, ya know.

Hey wait, buddy...the gate to your back yard is wide open. Anyone can just walk in...
Stop, Reggie - back up! I see a car on the street with the windows down...

[SgtHooper]

I have not checked the law in this local case, but the car owner may still have gotten the ticket, since the keys were in the car. A simply window smash, and away goes the car. It seems the focus of the ordinance is on car theft.

[IncPen]

...most jurisdictions allow

The crux of the matter.