From former Community Resource Officer Sandy Perez
Tucson Police Department
The key to preventing theft from vehicles starts with
YOU!
Nobody wants to be a victim of crime, but if you leave your purse, computer, tools or other valuable items in your auto, you're increasing the risk that you will become a theft-from-vehicle victim.
Many thefts from vehicles are the result of people leaving their car doors unlocked or leaving items of value in the car where would-be thieves can easily spot them. The message- if thieves can see it, they will steal it.
By simply locking the doors of your vehicle and by taking valuable items with you or hiding them in a locked trunk, you can dramatically reduce the risk of being a crime victim.
Police also remind drivers that home garages are for parking vehicles, not for storage. By removing your vehicle from the street or driveway, you lessen the chances of a thief breaking in to steal a car stereo, or even the entire vehicle.
What are thieves looking for? The answer:
EVERYTHING
This includes:
- audio equipment;
- cash;
- purses;
- cell phones;
- tools;
- clothes;
- driver's licenses
- other personal documents;
- check books;
- luggage;
- cameras;
- anything of value or personal identification.
*And if a thief manages to get anything on it with your personal information, including a social security number, you are now in danger of also becoming an Identity Theft victim.
Quick tips to prevention:
1) Lock doors and take keys with you
2) Park in secure/well lit location
3) Don't leave valuables out in plain site, lock them in a trunk or take them with you
4) Park in your home garage
5) Lock it or Lose it! The key to preventing theft from vehicles starts with YOU
