East Lake Neighborhood Association

Subject:

Thoughts for preventing theft from your car

Message:

With the holiday season coming up fast, now is the time to start practicing some very simple and easy prevention steps to lower the chances of your becoming a victim of theft.. Prevention efforts only take a few seconds to perform, however they pay off in the end.  More valuables are lost each year due to breaking and entering of a vehicle than to breaking and entering into homes. Oftentimes citizens present a golden opportunity to thieves. The idea of, “I’m only going to be in the store a second,” many times comes back to haunt citizens. It only takes a matter of seconds for a thief to enter your car and remove valuables. We want to be successful in what we do and this is the same with thieves. They want to be successful at being a thief.  Remember that stealing from you provides the thief with money to buy drugs. 

Practice these crime prevention tips to help keep you from becoming the next victim:   

·        If you get the feeling that “something is wrong,” trust your instincts.

·        If you see suspicious activity, report it immediately. Do not discount it as simply being nothing. You may be preventing someone else from becoming a victim.

·        Don't advertise by leaving valuables in plain sight in  your car.

·        Secure valuables, purses included, in the trunk area of your car. While doing this keep a constant visual on your surroundings.

·        Always be aware of your surroundings before you get out, take a few moments to look around.   

·        Make sure the car's windows are rolled up before parking.

·        Keep your car doors locked until you have parked and observed the surroundings. 

·        At home, make sure your garage door is kept down. If your car is parked in your driveway, make sure that the keys are removed, the windows are up, and the doors are locked.

·        Lastly but most important – Lock your car when you leave it.

“Keeping Neighborhoods and Communities Safe”

Mike Hale
Sheriff of Jefferson County

email: sheriff@jeffcosheriff.org
web-site: www.jeffcosheriff.net