Vehicle Burglaries

Car thieves are finding new ways every day to victimize you, and the items they steal from your vehicle could lead to other crimes such as identify theft and fraud. Being the victim of car theft or having your vehicle broken into can feel like an invasion of space and personal safety, but there are things we can do as community members to deter thieves. Here are a few tips to keep your vehicle and its contents safe:

• Lock your vehicles even if you are expecting to be away for only a few minutes.
• Never leave your keys in the vehicle.
• Never hide a second key in your car. Extra keys an easily be found if a thief takes time to look.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Use your car alarm.
• Do not leave your purse, wallet, or other valuables in the vehicle when it is unattended.
• If you must keep belongings in your vehicle, make sure it is not in plain view. Even if you have cd’s, change, or other small items in your vehicle. Do not display them. Don’t make your vehicle a more desirable target and attract thieves by leaving items in plain sight.
• If the weather is warm, do not leave your windows down, not even a small amount.
• Don’t leave the registration or title in your vehicle. A car thief will use these to sell you stolen car. File the title at your home or office, and carry the registration in your purse or wallet.
• Engrave expensive accessories. Engrave personal I.D. numbers on car stereos, cellular phones, ect. So the thief will have difficulty disposing of them. Do the same for your vehicle.
• Invest in a visible steering wheel lock. It prevents the steering wheel from being turned.
• Be particular observant to any suspicious activity or persons.