Hide It, Lock It or Lose It

Steps to help you prevent being a victim of vehicle burglary:

• When you park your car, remove cell phones, cameras, laptop computers, briefcases, backpacks, wallets and purses. Do not leave gift wrapped packages or other valuable items lying on the seat. Lock all your valuables in the trunk or glove compartment before you reach your destination or take them inside with you.
• Always close your windows and lock your vehicle and garage doors.
• Remember thieves’ stake out parking lots and easily spot persons bending over or appearing to be placing items under or between seats.
• Thieves watching parking lots also will note women leaving a vehicle without a purse. This is often a sign that it is still in the car. Most of the time it is easy to spot a purse strap or hidden item sticking out from under a car seat.
• Since so many people now drive sport utility vehicles or minivans that do not have a trunk, a simple solution is to carry only what is needed for that trip.
• Don’t leave a car in unattended parking lots for an extended amount of time. A car is five times more likely to be stolen from an unattended lot than from the street or attended lot.
• If possible park your car in a lot where you don’t have to leave your keys.
• Never attach a tag with your name and address to your key ring. If the keys are lost or stolen, the tag will lead the thief directly to your car and home. If you have to leave your keys with a parking attendant, leave only the ignition key.
• Be sure to remove automatic garage door openers from the car, as this could give a thief easy access to your house.
• At night park your car near or under a street light.
• If your car is stored in a carport or parked near your house, leave your exterior lights on throughout the night. Consider replacing the light fixture closest to your car with a motion detector. The light will be off, but will activate if your car is approached.
• Consider adding a car alarm system. Always set your alarm if so equipped.