Keep Your Vehicle Safe During The Holiday Season
November 26, 2007
The Mesa Police Department and the Arizona
Automobile Theft Authority (AATA) are alerting the public to be
extra cautious about leaving valuables in their vehicle as the
2007 holiday season approaches. The AATA reports that the month
of December is historically one of the highest months for
vehicle thefts and burglaries from vehicles.
Mesa residents can take extra precautions to secure their
vehicles through a "layered approach" to protection. The more
layers on your vehicle, the tougher it is to steal.
Layer #1 -- The Common Sense Approach
- Lock your car and always take the keys with you.
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Never leave your vehicle running unattended.
- Do not leave valuables in plain view.
- Lock merchandise in the trunk. If you do not have a
trunk, keep packages covered and out of sight.
- Do not hide a spare set of keys in the car. The pros
know where to look.
- If you have a garage....use it.
Layer #2 -- Visible and Audible Warning
.ces
The second layer of protection is any.ce that can be SEEN or
HEARD and alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected.
- Audible alarms, steering wheel locks, brake locks.
- The AATA's free Watch Your Car program.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching on vehicle
windows -- visit the AATA's website for a list of free
events in the community.
www.azwatchyourcar.com; Events page).
Layer #3 -- Immobilizing.ces
This third layer of protection is a.ce that prevents thieves
from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some
popular.ces include:
- Kill switches
- Starter, ignition and fuel disablers
- Smart keys
- High security locks & keys
- Fuse cut-offs
Layer #4 -- Tracking.ces
The final
layer of protection if a tracking.ce which emits a signal to
a police or monitoring station when the vehicle is repotted
stolen. Tracking.ces are very effective in helping
authorities recover stolen vehicles.
For additional information about the AATA and the Watch
Your Car program, please call 1-888-668-4433 or visit
www.azwatchyourcar.com.
For information about Mesa's H.E.A.T.
events, please contact your
Crime Prevention Officer.