Guard Against Vehicle Theft At night, park in well-lit areas with pedestrian traffic. 12/04/06 Respond to this story Email this story to a friend Protect you vehicle from thieves THE FACTS ARE: Each year, more than a million vehicles are stolen in the United States - about one every 30 seconds - thieves, like home burglars, generally have an easy time of it. Their thievery is made simple by car owners who obligingly leave doors unlocked (in four out of five cases of auto theft) or who leave keys in the ignition (in one out of five cases). Though professional car thieves have entered the field in increasing numbers, many cars are still taken by amateurs, who can be stopped fairly easily. You can greatly increase your protection against this type of crime by taking the following sensible precautions. Never leave your keys in an unattended car, even while running a quick errand. Potential car thieves often note identifIcatIon numbers printed on ignition keys and can obtain duplicates through car dealers by presenting the key number, posing as the car's owner. Car dealers or locksmiths can punch out these numbers from your keys, eliminating the problem. Before having this done, however, record these numbers in a safe place in case you need duplicates. Never attach a tag with your name and address to a key ring. However, a tag with your driver's license number would aid in having them returned to you should they be lost or stolen. Your law enforcement agency could readily locate you by using this number. Leave only the ignition key with a parking attendant. A dishonest attendant may have house keys duplicated and sell them, along with your name and address, for a tidy profit. Keep In mind that a hidden key is the first thing a thief looks for. PARK CAREFULLY Avoid leaving a vehicle unattended in public parking lots for an extended period of time. A vehicle is five times more likely to be stolen from an unattended lot than from the street or an attended lot. At night, park in well-lit areas with pedestrian traffic. Auto thieves don't like working where they are clearly visible. Whenever possible, turn wheels sharply toward the curb when parking. This makes It difficult for thieves to tow your car. If you have a garage, use it. OPERATION IDENTIFICATION With an electric engraver, etch your driver's license number on CBs, tape decks and similar items. Consider engraving the same number on several places under the hood, on car doors, trunk lid or other conspicuous places. This could aid in recovery of your property and is proof of ownership. Record your vehicle Identification number (VIN), usually located on a small metal plate on the dashboard, and store it in a safe place. Never leave your driver's license inside the car, and keep the automobile registration out of sight, in your wallet or purse. If you don't, thieves will be able to produce legitimate documents when stopped by deputies. Remember that the registration must be with you whenever you are driving your car. SECURITY DEVICES AND ALARMS No security device or combination of devices will make your vehicle theft or burglary proof, but good vehicle security can reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Consider the purchase and installation of one or more of the following: An auxiliary steering wheel lock. Good quality steering wheel locking device make it very difficult to steer the vehicle while the locks are in place. A kill switch, or cut-off switch, is an electrical device that disables the critical system or fuel supply of a motor vehicle when it is not in use. The cut-off switch is activated by a hidden control, and effectively immobilizes the vehicle, even if the Ignition has been forced. A circular metal band, or "collar" which is locked around the steering column and protects the ignition lock from tampering. An alarm device which will activate a siren, horn, lights or combination of these if someone attempts to enter or tamper with the vehicle. For maximum effectiveness, it should also activate an ignition kill switch or fuel cut-off switch. Vehicle burglary, which is when a criminal breaks into a vehicle and steals items from it is very difficult to prevent. So, if you don't want it stolen, don't leave it in your car. SPECIAL TIPS When you park the car, remove valuable possessions. These items tempt thieves and should be locked in the trunk. Have the VIN etched into the vehicle windows. This makes it difficult for the thief to sell the vehicle. THEFT OF OTHER VEHICLES Thefts of snowmobiles, boats, trail bikes and other vehicles are increasing. Because they are not always serialized by their manufacturers, recoveries are few. Mark these types of vehicles with your driver's license number, in a conspicuous place. Many of the precautions previously discussed apply to these vehicles. LOCK IT Lock all doors and roll up windows whenever you leave your vehicle unattended. Be sure vent windows, a favorite means of entry for thieves, are shut tight. Also, remember to take the keys with you. Make sure all easy-to-carry Items like motors, water skis and camping gear are locked up before leaving your vehicle. Vehicles carried on trailers should be secured with a strong chain and padlock. When the trailer is not attached to your car, secure it with a heavy chain and padlock to a stationary object. Chain your motorcycle or snowmobile to a stationary object such as a lamp post or sewer grating. Even when your vehicle is in the garage, use a heavy chain and padlock that resists conventional steel hacksaw blades. WHAT TO DO If your vehicle is broken into or stolen, inform the Sheriff's Department immediately. Stolen vehicles are often used in the commission of another crime. Quick action by you may not only aid in the recovery of your vehicle, but prevent its use for illegal purposes. WHEN BUYING A USED CAR Be suspicious of a fresh paint job on a late model. Ask questions about the insurance and past financing. Then verify the information, or insurance agent. Obtain at least one set of the original manufacturers keys. Never buy a car without the certificate of ownership. Courtesy of FEMA Rodney says, " With an electric engraver, etch your driver's license number on CBs, tape decks and similar items. This could aid in recovery of your property and is proof of ownership."