Vehicle Security:
Many of the suggestions for Vehicle security are similar to those for your home.
- Keep your vehicle locked anytime that it is unattended. Windows up and locked! Even if it is inside your garage. You leave your garage door open that one time, and someone will enter both the garage and your car! Many thefts from vehicles occur while it is parked in the garage. Additionally, many thefts of the vehicle itself occur the same way. A good crook can hot wire your car in less than 20 seconds and be gone! Many of the car thefts reported to us are for vehicles that were left unlocked with the keys in the ignition!
- Get an alarm system! Most crooks will bypass a vehicle that has that little red light flashing signaling that an alarm system is present.
- Keep all valuables out of sight. Yes I know it’s a pain to carry your day to day stuff inside, especially if you live in an apartment complex, but don’t leave your cell phones and laptop computers in PLAIN VIEW! At least lock them out of sight in the trunk.
- There is no excuse for leaving a wallet, checkbook, or purse inside your car. If you’ve ever had to go through the pain of canceling all your accounts and credit cards, and replacing all the locks on your house because your spare house keys were inside, you will never make this mistake again!
- If you don’t have a garage, park in well lighted areas. Remember, crooks hate well lit areas. If you park in your driveway install motion lights in the area where you normally park.
- Anti vehicle theft devices such as a fuel or electrical shut off, are invaluable if you want to ensure that someone never takes your car without you knowing about it.