It takes less then a minute for a thief to break your car window and snatch an iPod, laptop or purse that has been in plain view inside your vehicle. Please lock your vehicles and always take all valuables inside. According to Nationwide Insurance Agency, “The fact is, it’s far too easy to become a victim of a vehicle break-in: Every year, there are about 1.85 million such incidents, with more than $1.2 billion in personal items and accessories stolen from cars”. There has been an increase in smash and grab break-ins recently.
Here are just a few tips that will help protect your car from being broken into;
- Keep your car visible – Park in well-lit areas near people or with an on-duty parking lot or garage attendant. Avoid having your car concealed by larger vehicles, fences, or foliage; thieves like to work in private2) Do not leave a spare key or key fob inside your vehicle
- Don’t make it easy – Keep windows and sunroofs closed and doors locked. Almost one-fourth of thefts from vehicles are from unlocked cars.
- Activate your vehicle’s alarm – Don’t have one? Factory-installed and theft systems are best, but a professionally-installed alarm can discourage a car break-in thief who likes to work in silence.
- Hide your valuables – Many smash-and-grab thieves act on impulse, so keep your stuff out of sight – either with you or in a locked trunk. Don’t count on the glove box; thieves know to look there, and they’re easy to break into.
- Don’t hand a thief your keys– Take you keys with you. And if you think you have a great hiding place for a spare key, car break-in thieves know to look above the visor, in the center console, under the floor mat, in the trunk well, etc.
Always report suspicious activity immediately by calling the Township of Washington Police Department. Please remember, leave your vehicle never unlocked and nothing in view.
