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Auto
Burglary Prevention
The increase in
auto burglaries is part of a national trend; and not just a problem
at CCSF. The reason auto burglaries are prolific is because most
people often leave there valuables out in the open giving criminals
an opportunity to make you a victim. Thieves can quickly enter
vehicles, often unseen. Many use the stolen items to help them get
drugs to support their addictions. Increasingly, we are finding that
thieves are using personal information found in vehicles to commit
identity theft.
What thieves’
maybe thinking or looking for:
• Lack of
detection - Criminals will decide where they have enough time to
take the item without being seen. Is the item in plain view and how
easy will it be to take the item. The easier it is the more likely
the criminal will attempt entry into the vehicle and take the item.
Where is the vehicle parked? In a parking lot where people are
present and where there may be a security camera; criminals are less
likely to try to enter your vehicle. Criminals are looking for that
vehicle that is parked on an unused street where no one is around
and the criminal can take there time.
• How easy is it –
Criminals are looking for the opportunity and when you leave doors
unlocked or windows open you have given them opportunity to commit
the crime. The criminal doesn’t have to waste time trying to use a
tool to open the door or break a window to gain entry. The criminal
knows his chances of not being discovered are better because there
is no noise of breaking glass and less time is needed to commit the
crime. Not to mention criminals know that entering an unlocked
vehicle is not as serious a crime as having to break into a locked
vehicle.
• Value of item –
The criminal is looking for the item worth value to them and not
you. That spare change may not mean anything to you but it does to a
criminal who is trying to pay for there next drug fix. If the item
is not visible, now the criminal also has to decide how long it will
take to find an item of value, and if one does exist. Many criminals
will only go for the sure thing such as a wallet or purse left out
in open view; or, they notice when you stashed something prior to
exiting the vehicle.
What Can You Do:
Take Out
Valuables – If
you can leave your valuables at home, do so. Otherwise, when you get
to your destination, take valuables with you. If you have to leave
them in your vehicle; place them in your trunk before you get to
your destination.
Close your windows
–
Even a slightly open window makes it easier for a criminal to get
into your vehicle and an open window will allow a criminal quick &
quiet way to reach into your vehicle. Take the time to make sure you
closed everything even on these hot days.
Lock your vehicle
and set car alarms
–
When you get out of your vehicle make it a point to reach out to
your door handle and make sure the door is locked. If a criminal is
watching he will see that you did actual lock your car and will less
likely make you his next victim. Remember the criminal is looking
for the easy and fast target. Set your car alarm step two or three
feet from your car and point the remote at the car and set the
alarm. Most car alarms make a noise to indicate it is set. The
movement of you pointing the remote and the noise the alarm makes
when set will also detour the criminal from trying to enter your
vehicle.
Items valuable to
criminals:
PDA’s, Cameras,
Lap-top Computers, Cell Phones, CD’s, Pull-out stereo systems, Mail,
Address Books, Receipts, Purses, Vehicle Registration, Money,
Jackets, Gym Bags, book bags, Luggage, Garage Door Openers,
Briefcases, Fast-Trak devices.
Any item that has
you’re personal information on it could be used to steal your
identity (Social Security numbers, ID cards, Pass Ports). This is a
big money seller for criminals and one of the hardest things for a
victim of Identity theft to recover.
Tips for you to remember:
Record your serial
numbers and keep then in a safe place in your home. If your
valuables are stolen, the officer taking the police report will need
the serial numbers so they can put them into the “Automated Property
System” (APS). This system can tell an officer anywhere in the U.S
who may come across your property that it belongs to you.
Mark your
valuables with your Drivers License number because the police can
get your name from the Drivers License number but not from a Social
Security number.
Use anti-theft
devices such as car alarms and locking devices over the steering
wheel.
Report Any & All
suspicious activity to the Campus Police.
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