ALT-1 Car Theft Prevention
As our economy is struggling right now, crime is on the rise, and becoming more popular than ever. Breaking into cars is one of the top crimes in America today. There are nearly 2.5 million car break ins reported annually, which is about 280 break ins an hour. There are several steps you can take to make your car less attractive to thieves, but nothing is ever foolproof. The easiest way to deter thieves is to simply hide valuable objects, such as GPS systems, cell phones, wallets, etc. If a thief can see the item then he knows all that he has to do is smash the window open and take it, however, if the item is not in plain sight then he will not know if there is anything even worth his time in your vehicle. Another way to keep your valuables safe is to simply lock the doors. If a thief can open your door, then he knows there is no alarm, or broken glass, and he can take his time robbing you. Having tinted windows is another great way to deter thieves, because it makes it harder for them to see what is inside your car. Always be sure to park in well lit, safe areas and avoid alleys as much as possible. If you are really concerned about the safety of your car then the best thing to do would be to invest in a good alarm system, which you can usually purchase at retailers like Best Buy, or Circuit City and usually have them installed there as well. A good car alarm, which costs around $70-$150, will be enough to keep most thieves at bay. If you are concerned about your actual car being stolen then there are a few options available to keep you safe. You can make sure that you ALWAYS take your keys with you when you leave your car, since 20% of all stolen cars had the keys in them, and never leave a spare set of keys inside your car. You can purchase alarms, wheel and gearbox locks and all sorts of devices to make your car harder to steal. It is also wise to put your emergency break on when parked, as this makes your car harder to tow, and to turn your wheels toward the curb, which also makes your car harder to tow. You can also buy electronic tracking devices, such as Lo-Jack, to help police locate your car if it is in fact stolen. Following these simple tips will ensure that thieves will leave your car alone for easier prey.
