COLUMBUS – During a recent crime awareness detail at a local shopping center, Columbus police were surprised how many people actually “invited” criminals to steal from them by leaving car doors unlocked or valuables clearly visible inside their vehicle.
Officer Terrie Songer, Public Information Officer for the Columbus Police Department, said particularly during the holiday season, everyone is urged to take extra safety precautions.
“The purpose of the crime awareness detail is to make the public more aware of criminal activity during the holiday season,” she said. “The Columbus Police Explorers scoured a parking lot looking for any vehicles that could be targeted for an auto burglary and the detail lasted only one hour.”
Songer said within that one hour, officers found: 18 purses left in vehicles, 22 car doors left unlocked, 23 electronic devices (cell phones, etc.) left in vehicles, cash money visible in 10 vehicles, prescription medication visible in 2 vehicles, 39 vehicles left with assorted valuables visible, 3 vehicles had the keys left inside, 7 vehicles had the windows down or open, 2 vehicles had guns laying on the rear seats and 4 vehicles had important papers visible.
“Theft from vehicles can occur anywhere there are vehicles present,” Songer said. “This includes places where there are a large concentration of vehicles like shopping facilities, churches, sporting and recreation events, and restaurants down to a single vehicle parked on a residential street.”
Because of imminent dangers, Columbus police have released the following tips to prevent vehicle break-ins, which could lead to the theft of the vehicle itself, or of property items from inside the vehicle.
“Always park your car in well-lighted and populated areas near your destination,” Songer said. “If possible, try and park in view of a security camera. Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.”
Columbus police also suggest:
- Turn off your engine, roll up all windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway.
- Don’t leave spare keys in your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places. Store spare keys in your wallet.
- Don’t leave your vehicle in an unattended public lot for an extended period time.
- Buy a vehicle with interior hood and truck lock releases. Install a secondary hood lock if your car does not have one.
- Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to break in, move, tilt, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving the vehicle.
- Check your vehicle if you hear the alarm sound but don’t try to stop a person attempting to break in. Get a good description of the person and call 911.
To avoid being a victim of theft by having personal belongings taken from your vehicle, police recommend:
- Do not leave anything in your vehicle, in plain sight, that you do not want taken.
- When shopping, always make sure to place purchases in the trunk and out of sight before going to the next shopping area to park.
- Try to maintain a “clutter free” vehicle.
- If you don’t have the luxury of parking your vehicle in the garage at night and have to leave it parked in the driveway or on the street in front of the house, ensure you remove the garage door opener. This is a key to your home!!
- Consider replacing standard license plate screws with theft deterrent screws available at auto parts stores.
“The best advice is not to leave anything in your vehicle,” Songer said. “Or at least in plain sight, that you would not want taken. Even the smallest most insignificant items left in plain view could result in a window being smashed which causes a great deal of expense and mess. If you will eliminate the opportunity, you will more than likely eliminate the crime.”
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