Tips to prevent vehicle theft

• Don’t leave items in your vehicle in plain sight that could be stolen.
• Always lock your doors, even if you’re away from your vehicle for only a minute.
• Whenever possible, park in well-lit, busy areas.
• Place purchases in the trunk or out of sight.
• Try to maintain a clutter-free vehicle.
• If you can’t park your vehicle in your garage, make sure to remove the garage door opener. This is a key to your home.
• Don’t leave keys in your vehicle and always lock the doors. Twenty percent of all stolen vehicles have the keys left in them.
• If the vehicle is an older model, replace the door lock shafts with new, tapered ones.
• Don’t leave documents in the glove box or elsewhere in the vehicle that has your address or personal information about you or your family.
• If you use self-service to fuel your vehicle and don’t pay at the pump, don’t leave the keys in your vehicle when going in to pay. Consider locking it as well to prevent theft of items while you are away.
• Don’t hide a spare key on the outside of the vehicle.
• Periodically check your license plates to make sure they have not been stolen or altered.
• Never leave your vehicle running and unattended to warm up or cool down the interior. This is a leading cause of auto theft during the colder months.