Reduce Your Chances of Being the Victim of a Vehicle Theft or Burglary
When it comes to your vehicle, there are two primary crimes you have to worry about - your vehicle getting broken into and your vehicle getting stolen. The good news is that taking steps to prevent one will go a long way in preventing the other. Vehicle burglaries are by far one of the most reported property crimes in America. They happen both at night and during the day, in busy parking lots and on cul-de-sacs in gated communities. While vehicle thefts are not as common, they certainly happen frequently and are very costly when they do.
Since there are many similarities in how to prevent both of these crimes, we will start with a list of general vehicle-related steps to take, then focus on each individual crime in more detail.
Since there are many similarities in how to prevent both of these crimes, we will start with a list of general vehicle-related steps to take, then focus on each individual crime in more detail.
General Prevention Tips
Lock your Vehicle Doors
This may seem like an obvious step to take, but you would be surprised how many cars are entered by way of an unlocked door. In many locations this is the case in over a quarter of the reported burglaries and in quite a few auto thefts. Even if you are standing next to your vehicle pumping gas, go ahead and lock the doors. A very popular trend is to walk up to the opposite side of a vehicle at a gas pump and reach in to steal the purse sitting on the passenger seat. Before you even know what happened, the criminal is running away with your property. Since most newer vehicles have remote door locks with some type of audible alert when the doors are locked, make it a habit to step outside and double check your vehicle is locked each night before settling in. It's very easy to overlook locking up your vehicle when returning home after a long day.
Park for Visibility
When you park your vehicle, look for a location that is highly visible. Avoid parking right next to a tall fence, excessive foliage, or anywhere else that may shield a criminal from view while gaining access to your vehicle. You should also park in a well-lit area at night if possible, and avoid the temptation to park in the smaller side lots commonly found in retail locations despite the temptation of a shorter walking distance. Most criminals want to commit their acts with minimal chances of being observed.
Consider an Alarm
The good new is a lot of newer cars come with factory alarm systems as standard equipment. If your vehicle does not have one, consider an after-market system that can detect glass breakage in addition to door opening. Remember, criminals do not want to be detected, so the last thing they want is for a lot of noise drawing attention to what they are doing.
Completely Close Windows and Sunroofs
While the obvious reason would be to prevent a criminal from using a stiff wire or other tool to simply reach in and unlock the door, there is another reason for doing this. Many alarm systems rely on pressure sensors to detect glass breakage and leaving a window open renders these sensors useless.
Now we will go over some more specific additional crime prevention measures for each of the vehicle-related crimes.
This may seem like an obvious step to take, but you would be surprised how many cars are entered by way of an unlocked door. In many locations this is the case in over a quarter of the reported burglaries and in quite a few auto thefts. Even if you are standing next to your vehicle pumping gas, go ahead and lock the doors. A very popular trend is to walk up to the opposite side of a vehicle at a gas pump and reach in to steal the purse sitting on the passenger seat. Before you even know what happened, the criminal is running away with your property. Since most newer vehicles have remote door locks with some type of audible alert when the doors are locked, make it a habit to step outside and double check your vehicle is locked each night before settling in. It's very easy to overlook locking up your vehicle when returning home after a long day.
Park for Visibility
When you park your vehicle, look for a location that is highly visible. Avoid parking right next to a tall fence, excessive foliage, or anywhere else that may shield a criminal from view while gaining access to your vehicle. You should also park in a well-lit area at night if possible, and avoid the temptation to park in the smaller side lots commonly found in retail locations despite the temptation of a shorter walking distance. Most criminals want to commit their acts with minimal chances of being observed.
Consider an Alarm
The good new is a lot of newer cars come with factory alarm systems as standard equipment. If your vehicle does not have one, consider an after-market system that can detect glass breakage in addition to door opening. Remember, criminals do not want to be detected, so the last thing they want is for a lot of noise drawing attention to what they are doing.
Completely Close Windows and Sunroofs
While the obvious reason would be to prevent a criminal from using a stiff wire or other tool to simply reach in and unlock the door, there is another reason for doing this. Many alarm systems rely on pressure sensors to detect glass breakage and leaving a window open renders these sensors useless.
Now we will go over some more specific additional crime prevention measures for each of the vehicle-related crimes.
Vehicle BurglariesDon't Bait Thieves
Thieves love it when you leave valuable property in plain sight. There is a risk involved in smashing a car window or pulling on a door handle that is not yours, so many criminals won't take the risk if there is no known gain. Do not leave valuables in your car, and if you want to stow your stuff out of sight or in the trunk, do it before you get where you are going to park. Someone may be watching you from a distance and see you put that computer case in the trunk. One last note, all it takes to pique the interest of a thief is evidence of something valuable. Even an empty bag or the power cord for a GPS may make it worth the risk to find out what is inside your vehicle. Resist the Urge to Upgrade the Stereo Let's face it, factory audio systems are much better than they used to be, and any upgrades can be enticing for a thief. Even if you opt for an upgraded stereo with a removable face plate, thieves know there may be other high-end components in the vehicle. |
Vehicle TheftsDon't Give the Criminal a Key
Do not hide a key inside your vehicle or in any type of exterior hiding compartment. No matter how clever you are with your hiding spot, a good thief will already know about it. This is very important if you have a newer vehicle that uses a proximity key. If you leave the fob in the vehicle, you have just left the doors unlocked with instructions to "Push here to steal me." Never Leave Your Vehicle Running and Unattended It only takes a second for a thief to jump in your car and drive off with it if you leave it running for them. Even if you are going to be in very close proximity to your vehicle, never leave it running with an empty driver's seat when you are out. Use Layered Protection Consider using multiple deterrents such as a steering wheel lock, having the VIN number etched on all your windows, and have a visible indicator that there is an alarm system if you have one. The more work a thief has to do, the less likely they will be to choose your car as the one to steal |