Many crimes are committed simply because the opportunity presents itself to the criminal. Don't be a victim of opportunity! Following a few, simple crime prevention safety tips will minimize criminal opportunities, thus making your life much safer and more enjoyable.
- Remember to lock your car.
- If you own an older motor vehicle, replace standard door lock buttons with tapered ones. These replacements are inexpensive and much more difficult to pry up.
- Do not leave your motor vehicle registration, insurance policies, credit cards, or other important papers in a vehicles glove compartment.
- If you use a self-service gasoline station or convenience store, do not leave the keys in the vehicle when you go inside to pay your bill.
- Consider installing safety security film on the windows (tint). With the film added to the glass, the windows will be 300%-400% stronger. Intruders must cut their way through the glass, thus taking more time. The safety film is clear and reflects up to 98% of the suns ultraviolet rays.
- Never hide a second set of keys i your vehicle. Extra keys can easily be found. Store a spare key in your wallet.
- Avoid parking next to vans, pickups, and other large vehicles. These large vehicles can "hide" your vehicle and make it more difficult for others to observe.
- When you park along a curb, angle the front tires sharply to the left or right, making it difficult for the thief to tow it away. Wheels should also be turned to the side in driveways and parking lots.
- If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, back in to your driveway. Rear wheels lock on four-wheel drive vehicles, making them more difficult to tow. Front-wheel drive vehicles should be parked front-end first.
- Periodically check your license plates to make sure they haven't been stolen, switched, or altered.
- Use "Operation Identification" and engrave your driver's license number or social security in several concealed places on, or in your motor vehicle. Drop a business card into the window channel, beneath the seat or behind the dash panel.
- Engrave your batteries, wheel covers, and car stereos with either your drivers license number or your state's abbreviation.
- Don't invite a vehicle break-in by leaving packages or valuables, (laptops, cellular phones, compact disc players, etc.), in sight. Take valuables with you, put them under the seat or lock them in the trunk.
- Park in well-lighted and busy areas.
- Park in an attended lot. Motor vehicle thieves do not like witnesses's and prefer unattended parking lots.
- When parking in an attended lot, leave only the ignition/door key. If your trunk and glove box use the same key as the door, have one of them changed.
- On cold mornings, never leave your motor vehicle running while it is unattended in order to warm up.
- For each motor vehicle you own or lease, record the following information and keep it in a safe location (not in the vehicle):
- Make & Model
- Model Year
- Registration Number (Plates)
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Color
- Name of Insurance Company and Agent
- Engine Size
- Any peculiarities of vehicle (dents, pin stripes, etc.)
- Key Number
- Avoid transferring items to the trunk of a vehicle in the parking lot. A thief may be watching. Checkbooks, credit cards or other credentials which a thief could misuse should not be left in a motor vehicle.
- Park as close as possible to an open business.
- Lock your garage door. Also, lock your vehicle doors, even when it's in the garage.
- When you are out-of-town and leaving your motor vehicle, remove the electronic ignition fuse, rotor distributor, or the coil wire to prevent motor vehicle theft.
- If you see a disabled motor vehicle, instead of stopping to help, drive to a nearby telephone and inform the police of the vehicles location.
- IF your vehicle becomes disabled, attach a white handkerchief to the door handle or window. Lock the doors and stay inside the vehicle. If someone stops to help, do not open your door or window. Ask the person to please go to a telephone and call for help.
- Use metal, cane type, steering wheel wheel locks. The metal cane hooks around the brake pedal on one end, and around the steering wheel rim or spoke on the other. The device is drawn tight and locked with a key.
- Use a temporary snap lock which fits over the bulge of the steering column of late-model American cars, where the ignition switch is, and prevent the ignition from being turned on.
- Do not disconnect the buzzer that warns of keys left in the ignition. It's for your protection.
- Use a locking gas cap, not only to prevent theft of gasoline, but to limit a thief to the amount of driving he can do with one tank.
- There are special locks made for various marketable parts of cars. Battery locks or wheel cover locks may save these items.
- If your vehicle is not already equipped with one, install an interior hood release.
- Install different locks for the door, ignition, and trunk. A thief who might obtain your vehicles door key still won't have the ignition key.