TIPS TO HELP PREVENT ENTERING AUTO
By Sgt. Bill Thompson
Well as Christmas approaches sadly we have to also admit, “‘Tis the season” for the burglary of autos. Or, as we say here in Georgia, “Entered Autos.” Don’t let thieves do their Christmas shopping at your expense! The perpetrators of car break-ins often move around from one area to another, making it difficult to anticipate their next target area. Another reason so many vehicles are broken into is that people continue to leave valuable items inside of their parked cars.
Don’t leave anything visible in your vehicle that would interest anyone. Christmas gifts are a great opportunity for thieves as they are new and easy to return for money. Do not even leave change that can be seen from the outside of your car. Many of the perpetrators are juveniles and vagrants looking for anything they can get. Your spare change is an enough incentive for these folks to break into your vehicle.
Do not leave the plug in GPS, IPod, cell phones, cameras, tablets or laptop computers, in your vehicle when you exit. The cables and mounts are a sure sign that your vehicle has something worth stealing in it! Place everything related to these items in a locked glove box, or utility compartment when exiting your vehicle. They are best if placed inside your locked trunk. Place compact discs and purses in the same containers as well.
Always lock your vehicles and close your windows completely. Perpetrators are forcing down windows that are left partially open. I would also like to caution our residents from the practice of hiding items inside there vehicle after they are already at their destination. At many malls and perhaps even in your own neighborhood there will be someone watching for folks to bend over and hide items under the seat and in the glove box. This is another sure sign that there is something inside worth stealing! Make sure you do this if possible before you are at your destination. If not, try not to be obvious about it! People covet what that see.
All of the above applies to work trucks as well. It is not uncommon to see folks with a lot of expensive power and hand tools left in the beds of their trucks. Not only are we risking personal loss when we do this, we are inviting thieves into the area to victimize our families and our neighbors. We want to send the message; “There is noting here to steal, keep moving!”
With that I would like to wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season!
Bill
About Bill:
Bill’s background includes over 141 specialty schools and time as the Director/Chief Special Agent for a State Law Enforcement Agency. He has done everything from Traffic Enforcement to Counter Terrorism. He has been a Law Enforcement Officer for over 28 years and concurrently worked in private security for 29. He takes both jobs equally seriously.
A note from Pentagon Properties:
To our residents of Central Mobile Home Community, Evergreen Village, Cedar Village, and North Meadows we are proud of Bill and attribute the saftey of our tenants to his performance.
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