Theft from motor vehicles is a common problem here in our city. Thieves “window shop” as they walk by parked vehicles for a variety of merchandise they can easily take and convert to cash. It takes less than a minute to break a window, unlock the car door, remove your personal items and quickly leave the area. The criminal can remover your property even faster when the doors are unlocked.
Most of the time there are no witnesses to this crime because of the speed at which the criminal operates.
We also know that criminals will choose an easy target so we recommend that you consider the following tips to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of a theft from your motor vehicle.
- Get into the habit of closing and locking all vehicle windows and doors, even if you only leave your car for a moment. A large majority of thefts occur from motor vehicles which are unlocked and easy to access.
- Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Here is a list of common items thieves will steal out of parked vehicles;
- wallet,
- purse,
- cell phone,
- laptop computer,
- camera,
- CDs,
- loose change
- shopping bags
- backpacks
- clothing
- keys
- If you are unable to remove your valuables, make sure they are hidden from view preferably locked in the trunk. It is best to conceal items discreetly before you park in case you are watched.
- Don’t leave house keys and your information with your home address visible inside your vehicle when unattended.
- It is not a good idea to hide a second set of car keys anywhere in your car.
- Where possible, park in a well-lit highly visible area or an area covered by surveillance cameras.
- These precautions should be taken even if your car is in your garage. We also recommend that you close and lock all access windows and doors to the garage and the garage door itself.