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Prevent
Auto Theft
Automobile
theft is a costly crime. In addition to the financial loss, auto
theft victims suffer serious inconvenience. Fortunately, there are
a number of steps that you can take to prevent a thief from stealing
your vehicle.
The
Basics:
The
best steps for preventing auto theft are also the easiest, and they
don't cost you a penny.
- Keep
your car doors locked.
- Park
in a well-lighted area. If you park in a garage, make sure to
close and lock the garage door.
- Don't
entice a thief by leaving valuables or other items in plain view.
- Don't
hide a key in or on your car.
- Lock
your car and take your keys with you.
- When
parking in attended lots or parking garages, leave only the ignition
key with the attendant. Never leave a key ring with the key that
has your name, address or telephone number.
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Don't
leave your registration, insurance card or any other important
identification papers in the car.
-
Put
valuable items in the trunk if possible.
-
Never
leave your vehicle running while it is unattended.
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If
you park your vehicle on the street, always park with the
wheels turned toward the curb.
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Make
it a habit periodically to check your license plates and registration
tag.
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Colorado
vehicles are required to have both a front and rear license
plate. Report theft of a license plate to the Police Department
at (303) 987-7150.
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When
purchasing a vehicle, ask about antitheft operations that are
available. New vehicles are now available with a car tracking
device that enables law enforcement agencies to track your car
if it is stolen.
Warming
Up Your Car:
When
the cold weather returns, you must remember that leaving cars running
unattended invites a car thief to take your car. You should never
leave your car warming up without someone in it. This advice applies
just as strongly to when your car is in front of your house as when
your car is parked somewhere else.
During the winter, the number of auto thefts rises due to people
leaving vehicles running unattended. Police call those kinds of
cars "puffers." Lakewood Police volunteers work during
the winter to leave fliers on windshields of cars they see running
unattended to alert motorists to the problem. The fliers tell motorists
that their cars could have been stolen in the time it took to leave
the flier.
Security
Devices:
There
are a variety of security devices to consider, and they range in
price.
- Ignition/starter
"kill" switches that can be concealed and must be activated
for the vehicle to run.
- Steering
wheel lock bars.
- Alarm
systems.
- Vehicle
locator services.
- Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) etching on your vehicle's windows,
which is offered free at the Lakewood Police Department.
Watch
Your Car Program:
The
program is a free auto theft prevention program. Owners display
a decal in a vehicle's window that allows a law enforcement officer
to stop the vehicle to determine if it is stolen if the car is out
between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. This program is in effect
throughout Colorado. For more information on Watch Your Car, call
(303) 987-7276.
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