Protect Yourself from Car Thieves

Addison and the surrounding cities have experienced a recent spike in auto theft. The following is a statement from the Addison Police Department:

“Addison and area cities have experienced a recent rash of car break-ins. Addison Police Department wants to remind residents and visitors that car thieves target cars that are unlocked and have valuables in plain sight. They encourage you not to leave valuables in your car. If you have to, hide them away under a seat or in a glove box. Also, always lock your car, even in your driveway or parking garage. Remember, if you see something, say something by calling 9-1-1 or the non-emergency dispatch number at 972-450-7156.”

Unfortunately, auto theft is an all-too-common problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 1 million vehicles were stolen in the U.S. in 2022, one stolen every 22 seconds. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take as precautions to avoid your car being stolen.

1. Lock your doors. The first and most obvious step, locking your doors, is essential to remember.
2. Never leave the keys in your vehicle. If your key is in the car, a thief can break a window and drive off.
3. Close all the windows. Any open window allows thieves to reach in and grab whatever they want or unlock the door.
4. Park in well-lit areas. Often, thieves are deterred if they know they can be easily seen.
5. Hide away any valuables in a glove box or under a seat. Taking any valuables out of your car when you leave is preferable, but if you have to, under the seat or in a glove box are two great hiding places.
6. Be alert of your surroundings. If you are wary of the safety of your car or see someone loitering around the parking lot, it’s best to park somewhere else.
7. Install a tracking system. Also known as a vehicle recovery system, it will use wireless and/or GPS technology to emit a signal to the police or monitoring service of your vehicle’s location, which may help the police recover your car faster.
8. Install a vehicle immobilizer system. To prevent thieves from “hotwiring” your car, incorporate an immobilizer system with kill switches, smart keys, and wireless ignition authentication.
9. Install audible and visible anti-theft systems. Horn alarms deter theft by bringing attention to an unauthorized attempt to steal or enter a vehicle. Visible devices create a visual threat/warning/deterrence, such as the use of steering-wheel locks, as well as theft-deterrent decals, flashing lights, and window etching.