5 Tips To Help Avoid Falling Victim to Car Burglars
The Brewer Police Department has offered tips on their Facebook page aimed at helping residents avoid losing their valuables to car burglars. The suggestions are titled 'Take, Lock, and Hide.'
This is the time of year when less-than-honest people will roam residential streets and parking lots, looking for stuff to steal out of other people's vehicles. You never know where it might happen, either. I had a $5.00 clock and a bottle of Tide stolen out of my car at a Bangor apartment complex. And a few years later, had my car rifled while it sat out behind the radio station, early in the morning. The thief didn't get anything that time, because I've learned not to keep valuables in my car. Unfortunately, I didn't learn well enough to lock my doors.
Here are some tips from the Brewer Police about how to avoid falling victim.
- Cindy Campbell, Townsquare Media
Cindy Campbell, Townsquare Media 1Take Your Valuables With You
It's a simple fact that burglars can't steal what's not there. So when you leave your car, take your valuables with you. This means things like your wallet, purse, laptop, iPod, etc. Car burglars also like credit cards, CD's, and GPS devices, among other things. Oh, and don't leave your cellphone in your car. If that gets stolen, they can not only steal it, but also run up your bill!
- Jupiterimages, ThinkStock
Jupiterimages, ThinkStock 2Lock Your Doors
This seems like such a simple thing, but we're all guilty of hopping out of the car, and not locking up. Maybe your hands are full, or you figure you'll only be a few minutes. Still, hit those door locks. Burglars will very rarely break a window to get into a vehicle, because that ups the charges if they get caught. Instead, they roam from car to car, looking for unlocked doors. Make sure that doesn't include yours!
- Cindy Campbell, Townsquare Media
Cindy Campbell, Townsquare Media 3Hide Your Valuables
There will always be times when you can't take all your valuables with you. Maybe you've been working out of your car, and you have to run into the store, leaving your laptop behind. Brewer Police advise hiding any valuables that you can't take with you. Put the laptop in the trunk, or slide it under the seat, out of sight. And, as we mentioned before, lock your doors when you leave!
- BO NIELSEN, ThinkStock
BO NIELSEN, ThinkStock 4Don't Park In Secluded Areas
Most burglars are apt to go after cars that are not as visible as others. So, if you have a choice between that dark corner of the lot where the sun won't be on your car all day, or parking near the building, it's always best to leave it in a visible spot. And park under lights at night. But no spot is completely safe, so lock up!
- logoff, ThinkStock
logoff, ThinkStock 5Serial Numbers and Face Plates
Finally, Brewer Police advise recording the serial numbers of any valuables you may leave in the car, like GPS devices or laptops. Pawn Shops require that people show an ID when selling items, so if you know the serial number and can prove an item is yours, you may get it back, and the robber may be caught. Also, if you have after--market electronics with face plates that can be removed, take them with you. And lock up!
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