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Protect Your Vehicle From Theft

February 7, 2011 By

DON’T BE A VICTIM
Here is a list of items to help avoid burglaries from your vehicle:

  • Don’t make your keys an easy target; keep them with you at all times.
  • Close your windows and sun roof and lock your doors every time you leave your car.
  • Do not leave your keys in the ignition even if you leave your vehicle for only a moment (i.e. you want to run into the cashier at the gas station or you want to leave the air
    conditioning running while parked in your driveway at home).
  • Activate your alarm every time you leave your vehicle.
  • Always take personal belongings with you. Thieves break in to cars when they can see a prize: MP3 player, iPod, laptop computer, digital camera, GPS, cell phone, wallet or
    credit cards. Don’t create an atmosphere that is conducive to theft.
  • If you must put something of value in your trunk do so before you reach your destination.
  • Don’t hide spare keys in your vehicle even if they are not visible. Thieves know where to look.
  • Never leave luggage unattended on roof racks. This also includes bicycles, surfboards, and skis.
  • Don’t leave important documents in your car. Eliminate all personal information (home address) from your motor vehicle registration that is kept in your glove compartment.
  • Record your license plate number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Keep this information in a secure place away from your vehicle. If your vehicle is stolen, the police will need this information to take the report.
  • Always park in high traffic or well lit areas, when possible.
  • Install an ignition or starter “kill” switch to prevent the theft of your car.
  • If your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police immediately.

Every year in the City of Los Angeles approximately 30,000 vehicles are stolen. Vehicle theft represents approximately 24% of the property crimes and 18% of total crime in the City. According to the FBI crime statistics, a car is stolen every 30 seconds. The experienced car thief can steal a car in less than a minute.
Car thefts seem to occur with greater frequency where large groups of cars are parked for extended periods of time in places such as shopping centers, colleges, sporting events, movie theaters, and large apartment complexes. Car thefts occur at random and on different days of the week and times of the day, depending on the locations.

Filed Under: Protect Your Vehicles