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Bayonne Police
Department - Auto Theft
Tips |
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 A
vehicle is stolen every 23 seconds in
the United States. Auto theft Is
big business! If auto theft were
legalized and incorporated, it would
rank in the top 200 among Fortune 500
companies.
An experienced car thief can steal
your car in less than a minute. Many
crude thieves simply
smash
the drivers window. Most cars are
seemingly stolen for the value of
their parts. Some of the most
frequently stolen cars were also the
most frequently sold cars a few years
earlier, leading one to believe that
they are being stolen for parts.
According to insurance companies, a
$20,000 stolen vehicle can be stripped
and sold into $30,000 worth of parts
inventory to unscrupulous scrap and
auto-body shops. Stolen cars, vans,
trucks, and motorcycles cause economic
hardship for victims and increase
everyone's insurance premiums. |
A few common sense steps can help
you reduce becoming a victim of auto
theft:
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Never leave your car running and
unattended, even to dash into a
business
Never
leave your keys in the car or
ignition, even inside a locked
garage
Always roll up your windows and
lock the car, even if it is in
front of your home
Never leave valuables in plain
view, even if your car is locked.
Put them in the trunk out of
sight.
Always
park in a high-traffic,
well-lighted area, if possible
Install a mechanical device that
locks to the steering wheel,
column, or brake to prevent the
wheel from being turned more than
a few degrees. Commonly called
clubs, collars,
or J-bars. These devices can act
as a highly visible physical
deterrent if installed properly
Investigate the purchase of a auto
security system if you live in a
high-theft area or drive a
theft-prone vehicle. Display an
alarm decal near the door handle.
If you park in a fee garage, take
the pay-ticket with you. It's
the thief's ticket out of the
garage, too.
If you use valet parking, leave
just the ignition key with the
attendant. Make sure no
identifying information is
attached to the key. Do the same
when you take your car for repairs
Carry your drivers license,
registration, and insurance card
with you. Don't leave personal
identification documents or credit
cards in your vehicle
Copy your license plate and
vehicle identification (VIN)
numbers on a card and keep them on
you with your driver's license.
If your vehicle is stolen, police
will need this information
promptly.
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