A car is stolen nationally every 20 seconds, which adds up to more than a million stolen cars each year. Twenty percent of all auto thefts are a result of either keys being left in the car or the car being left unlocked. While professional car thieves are entering the field in increasing numbers, most cars are still taken by amateurs who can be stopped fairly easily.

Lock It, Hide It, or Lose It

You can greatly increase your protection against auto theft by taking the following precautions:

• First and foremost, never leave the vehicle unattended and unlocked.
• Always remove your keys if you leave the vehicle (this is especially true at gas stations, where thieves sometimes wait for unsuspecting motorists to leave their vehicles unattended with the keys in the ignition).
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Close all windows and lock all doors.
• Remove or hide all valuables; this includes GPS and cellular devices.
• Activate your alarm if the vehicle is so equipped.
• If you use a valet, leave only the ignition (valet) key with the attendant.
• If you have access to a garage, lock your car in the garage.
• Never hide spare keys in the vehicle. Thieves know where to look.

By taking these steps, you make your vehicle less attractive to a potential thief. The longer it takes a thief to gain access to your vehicle, the more likely they will be to move on to an easier target.

If your car alarm goes off:

• Observe behavior around your car.
• Get a description and license number of any suspects/suspect vehicles seen.
• Call 911.
• Do not take action. Your safety is our main concern.

If you are the victim of a theft:

• Call the Police Department.
• Be prepared to provide the vehicle description, including the license plate number to Police.
• If the vehicle is still present, do not disturb it. Any evidence collected will assist us in identifying potential suspects.