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01/23/2018 – With the arrest this week of an alleged car burglary crew in Owasso, it’s probably a good time to remind everyone of how you can help keep your car safe from thieves.
Did you know – Most auto break-ins occur in residential areas during the nighttime hours when the vehicle owner is asleep inside their house.
Did you know – Most (not all) auto break-ins have some common characteristics – unlocked doors, valuables in plain view from the outside, often parked curbside on a dark street. Why? Thieves are looking for an “easy target” with a “high reward”. Breaking a window is loud and draws attention – an unlocked car is quiet and easily accessed. Seeing a wallet, purse, laptop, IPOD etc. sitting inside the car makes it a tempting mark for a thief. Curbside/street parking is often less lighted than a residential driveway and the vehicle is also further from the owner (distance = less chance of hearing glass break, car door open/close).
Did you know – Most car thefts occur when the keys are left inside the vehicle or the vehicle is left running.
Tips to Help You Avoid Becoming the Victim of an Auto Burglary
• Park inside your garage if possible.
• If you have to park outside, try to avoid parking on the dark street and install a motion activated flood light that provides good coverage on your driveway.
• Always lock your car doors and keep valuables out of sight – preferably remove valuables altogether. Especially overnight.
• Avoid leaving your garage door remote inside your car – allows a thief instant access to your house.
• Never leave your keys in your car or leave your car running unattended – even on cold winter mornings.
• High quality security cameras are a great way to keep an eye on your vehicles, help the police catch the bad guys and they can also be a deterrent to thieves.
• Dogs are not only members of the family, they can alert you if someone is up to no good outside your house (or in the case of my little yippie dogs – the mailman, a squirrel and/or a cloud).
• Be an Alert Neighbor – Build relationships with your neighbors, keep an eye on each other and call the police when you see something suspicious in your neighborhood. Visit the Alert Neighborhood website for more information. https://www.cityofowasso.com/192/Alert-Neighborhood-Program
