A significant rise in larcenies from automobiles recently has prompted metro area police to remind citizens there are several things they can do to help prevent such crimes and also reduce the chances of becoming a victim.
One of the first things to remember is that most crimes of this nature are so-called “crimes of opportunity.” It is true that other major crimes such as robbery and auto theft receive serious attention from police and more exposure from the media, but it is also true that citizens are much more likely to become victims of thieves by having items stolen from their vehicle.
Reports of thefts from autos have increased from cities all across the nation and one of the probable contributing factors is the advance in technology that has made new, high-priced, electronic gadgets more available to the public. High priced electronics, as well as other expensive items, are an attraction to thieves if left unattended and exposed in an automobile. Items such as GPS systems, laptop computers, iPods, and cell phones are commonly left in unattended automobiles and are an easy mark for thieves.
It is very easy for a thief to open an unlocked door, or break a window and get away with valuables left in a car. Once inside a vehicle, other items of value may be discovered and taken very quickly. Thousands of dollars worth of items a year are stolen from autos throughout the metro area. Everyone is at risk, but there are some very simple measures one can take to prevent becoming a victim.
Be sure to lock your vehicle before leaving it parked. Never leave anything in plain sight. Always take valuable items with you, or lock them in the trunk of the car. Place GPS devices out of view when not in use and, if possible, remove any tell-tale mountings out of sight. Try to always park in well-lit areas that have a high visibility to other people. Keep your vehicle “clutter-free.”
Those are simple measures that work quite well. The main obstacle for the citizen is to develop a habit of practicing these measures.
Vehicle theft is another issue that should be of great concern to everyone. Not only does vehicle theft hurt the victim, but it hurts society as a whole. In an article published by Allstate Insurance Co. 2009, “Even if you are not a victim of car theft, you are still paying the cost. The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that theft and fraud increases the cost of auto insurance by $200 to $300 per year, per policy.” A car is stolen in the United States every 26 seconds, and those vehicle thefts cost Americans approximately $7.6 billion each year, according to the NICB.
To help prevent your car from being stolen, the NICB recommends the following suggestions:
Always take your car keys with you. Take them out of the ignition every time you leave your car. Do not keep an extra set of keys in the car, thieves know all the hiding places.
Install a column collar to easily prevent “hot-wiring” of the vehicle to start it. Use a steering wheel lock to prevent movement of the steering wheel.
To get serious about preventing a car theft, get a smart key. Keys with radio frequencies or coded computer chips will help ensure that your car will only start with one specific key.
Install a fuse cut-off. If an attempt is made to start the vehicle via short circuit, the vehicle will not operate.
Install a kill switch. Unless a special switch is activated, electricity will not flow to the engine to start.
Use wireless ignition authentication, where possible. Key fobs or wallet tabs with transmitters are used to activate electricity to the ignition.
Finally, install a tracking device. A tracking device that uses wireless and GPS capabilities to signal police and/or a monitoring system can be installed to ensure the crooks do not get away. Tracking devices can be somewhat expensive, but they are effective in locating a stolen vehicle.
For more information on how to reduce your chances of becoming a victim, please contact the Independence Police Crime prevention Unit at: 816-325-7643.
