As the mercury rises, car windows come down, increasing the potential for motor vehicle burglary.
“I would say that vehicle burglary is 100 percent avoidable,” said Salem police Detective Philip Weddle, “if folks take the necessary steps to protect their belongings.”
Perhaps the most obvious way for people to guard against vehicle theft is to simply roll up car windows and lock the doors. According to Officer Weddle, statistics show that nearly 95 percent of car theft takes place in cars with unlocked doors. “Of course, perpetrators can break a window, but that makes noise and criminals hate to make noise,” Weddle said. “Criminals are looking for an easy score.”
Secondly, don’t leave valuables in your car — take them with you or lock them in your trunk. “If the criminal doesn’t see anything to steal, they are less likely to break in,” Weddle said.
Law enforcement understands that there are those that have to work out of their vehicles and thus have to leave tools and equipment behind. If that’s the case, take the time to log serial numbers for things such as electronics and power tools, and simply mark items with a name and/or driver’s license number with an etcher or permanent marker. It’s disappointing for officers when they are able to recover a stash of stolen items but there is no way to identify ownership.
Also, people need to be mindful where they choose to park their vehicles. Try not to park in dark, secluded areas but park in well-lit areas where the car can be seen more easily by the general public and patrolling officers. Law enforcement officers also encourage those who have garages to use them to house their cars.
It is also important to remember that as citizens of this community, everyone is an important partner in the fight against crime. Everyone needs to be aware of what is going on in his neighborhood and report anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.
“This puts some of the responsibility on the citizens as well,” Weddle said. “I’d really like to see larceny stats to go down in our community.”
Read more: Salem Detective Weddle shares keys to preventing vehicular burglary
Related Article: http://philapolice9th.weebly.com/theft-from-auto-prevention-tips.html
“I would say that vehicle burglary is 100 percent avoidable,” said Salem police Detective Philip Weddle, “if folks take the necessary steps to protect their belongings.”
Perhaps the most obvious way for people to guard against vehicle theft is to simply roll up car windows and lock the doors. According to Officer Weddle, statistics show that nearly 95 percent of car theft takes place in cars with unlocked doors. “Of course, perpetrators can break a window, but that makes noise and criminals hate to make noise,” Weddle said. “Criminals are looking for an easy score.”
Secondly, don’t leave valuables in your car — take them with you or lock them in your trunk. “If the criminal doesn’t see anything to steal, they are less likely to break in,” Weddle said.
Law enforcement understands that there are those that have to work out of their vehicles and thus have to leave tools and equipment behind. If that’s the case, take the time to log serial numbers for things such as electronics and power tools, and simply mark items with a name and/or driver’s license number with an etcher or permanent marker. It’s disappointing for officers when they are able to recover a stash of stolen items but there is no way to identify ownership.
Also, people need to be mindful where they choose to park their vehicles. Try not to park in dark, secluded areas but park in well-lit areas where the car can be seen more easily by the general public and patrolling officers. Law enforcement officers also encourage those who have garages to use them to house their cars.
It is also important to remember that as citizens of this community, everyone is an important partner in the fight against crime. Everyone needs to be aware of what is going on in his neighborhood and report anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.
“This puts some of the responsibility on the citizens as well,” Weddle said. “I’d really like to see larceny stats to go down in our community.”
Read more: Salem Detective Weddle shares keys to preventing vehicular burglary
Related Article: http://philapolice9th.weebly.com/theft-from-auto-prevention-tips.html