Crime Prevention Tips

Auto Theft Prevention

1. Lock your car and take your keys

2. Park only in well lighted areas

3. Park in attended lots

4. Install an alarm on vehicle

5. Don’t put the alarm decal on the vehicle – a thief now knows it’s alarmed And may know how to defeat the alarm

6. Install a secondary (hidden) ignition switch that has to be switched on Before the car can be started

7. Park with your wheels turned all the way toward the curb (makes towing From the back more difficult

8. Remove coil wire from distributor

9. Use your steering wheel lock

10. Close windows all the way when parked

11. Don’t hide a second set of keys in the vehicle

12. Never leave car running unattended

13. Don’t let a potential car buyer test drive your car alone

14. If you have a garage – USE IT

15. Lock your garage door and lock car doors when the vehicle is in the garage

16. Don’t keep anything in vehicle that has your name/address on it. A car Thief who steals your car now knows where you live

17. Don’t loan your car to someone you don’t know very well

18. Don’t leave packages, cell phones, etc in plain view – remove them from the Vehicle

19. Use the parking brake when parked

20. When using valet parking, give the attendant only the ignition key – no house Keys

**PURCHASING A CAR:

1. If buying from an individual, be sure he is who he says he is

2. Be sure you can locate the seller after the sale

3. Check the VIN to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with

4. See if VIN matches the number on the sellers title

5. Be suspicious of a fresh paint job on a newer car

6. Ask for the manufactures keys not a replacement set – be suspicious If you’re given replacement keys on a newer car

7. Be suspicious if asking/settling price is “too good to be true”

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