Burglary of a Motor Vehicle Prevention
What is Lock-Take-Hide?
Vehicle burglary and auto theft, in most cases, are crimes of opportunity that could be easily avoided. A few simple missteps could lead to you becoming a victim. Lock-Take-Hide encourages everyone to take a few extra seconds to safeguard their vehicle. If you follow these simple steps you will greatly reduce your chances of falling victim to this crime.
- Making sure anything that might tempt a criminal is secured in the trunk is the most effective way to prevent becoming a victim of burglary of a motor vehicle.
- Keep all valuables and packages out of sight. Leaving valuables in plain view provides a tempting target.
- Always park in well-lighted areas and be familiar with your surroundings.
- Take the keys.
- Do not exit your vehicle and leave running.
- Do not hide spare keys in or under the vehicle.
- Use anti-theft devices. The use of devices such as a steering wheel lock, electronic alarm, an ignition kill-switch, gas cap lock, window VIN etching and a vehicle tracking device all protect your vehicle and deter vehicle theft.
- Activate the vehicle's alarm system.
- Document the serial numbers on all your property and/or etch some type of identifying information on the property to help locate and identify in case of theft.
- Never leave the registration or insurance cards in the vehicle. Thieves will be able to provide legitimate documents when stopped by the police.
- Report all burglary and theft offenses to the police department.
Be alert of suspicious activity and people in parking areas and report suspicious activity by calling Southlake Police Dispatch at 817-743-4522.