Preventing Theft or Break-Ins

The following tips help prevent vehicle break-ins, which could lead to theft of the vehicle itself or of property items from the vehicle.

• Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your destination. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.
• Park in lots or garages where you don't have to leave your keys.
• Park in your garage, if you have one. Don't leave your vehicle on the street, in an alley, or on your driveway. If you have to park on a street, avoid dark or isolated areas.
• Turn off your engine, roll up all windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway. Close all windows and lock the trunk and hood.
• Don't leave spare keys in your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places. Store spare keys in your wallet.
• Don't leave your vehicle in unattended public lot for an extended period of time.
  Buy a vehicle with interior hood and truck releases. Install a secondary hood lock if your car does not have one.
• Replace knob-type door locks buttons with tapered ones.
• Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to break in, move, tilt, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving the vehicle.
• Check your vehicle if you hear the alarm sound BUT don't try to stop a person attempting to break in or steal vehicle. Get a good description of the person and call the police.
• Lock your vehicle with the door lock button inside your vehicle instead of with your remote control. Thieves are now able to pick up the signals from your remote when you lock your vehicle with it.

To prevent theft of the vehicle itself:

• Turn your wheels sharply toward the curb when parking on the street.
• Use anti-theft devices that can be attached to the steering wheel or column, or brake pedal. Use one every time you leave your vehicle unattended. Steering wheel locks are inexpensive and are recommended by some experts to be the most cost-effective theft deterrent on the market today.
• Install fuel or power cut-off switches.
• Buy a vehicle with a locking ignition or steering column.
• Chain motorcycles and bicycles to stationary objects when unattended.
• Consider having your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etched on all windows.

To prevent the theft of property from a vehicle:

• Never leave any contents or valuables in plain sight. Remove cellular phones, audio systems, computers, packages, sports equipment, cameras, purses, etc. Lock them in the trunk before you park or take them with you. Thieves may be watching.
• Install locking devices on batteries, wheels, audio equipment, etc.