Leaving Items in Vehicles an Invitation for Thieves

From the Crime Prevention Unit at the Poway Sheriff’s Station:

Preventing theft of property from both locked and unlocked vehicles should be a community-wide effort, not just the responsibility of law enforcement. In partnership with the Poway Sheriff’s Station, this crime-prevention notice is devoted to the ongoing issue of thefts from vehicles in Poway.

The purpose of this focus is an attempt to increase the community’s awareness and to provide solid, yet easy, crime-prevention tips to deter this very prevalent crime, not only in Poway, but throughout the county.

Preventing this crime begins with you. This is a crime of opportunity in which citizens are typically unaware of the risks of leaving property in vehicles, especially in plain view, which creates a tremendous temptation for thieves. In addition, communities that enjoy a reputation of low crime, such as Poway, continue to experience thefts from vehicles because citizens are lulled into a false sense of security and fail to take reasonable precautions.

Crime-prevention tips to consider that can reduce your risk include:

• Do not leave property in the vehicle, especially in plain view.

• Always lock the doors and roll up the windows.

• Park the vehicle in the garage vs. the driveway.

• Avoid parking on the street if possible.

• Park in well-lit areas.

An important reminder: Even if the vehicle is locked and the alarm is set, if property is visible—on the seat, floorboard, windshield, etc.—this will not deter a thief from forcing their way into the vehicle and stealing the property, usually by smashing the window or forcing open the lock.

Recent cases of thefts from both unlocked and locked vehicles in Poway include: suitcases and clothing, backpacks, briefcases, diaper bags, GPS tracking systems, car stereos and removable faceplates, sports equipment, musical instruments, sunglasses, cash, not to mention a significant number of purses, wallets, laptop computers, iPods and cameras.

Thefts of unattended wallets and purses create another challenge for law enforcement as well as for the victim. The subsequent unauthorized use of credit and debit cards imposes a staggering impact on society including the insurance industry and merchants, as well as the looming threat of identity theft for the victim.

The solution to this crime is largely simple and easy to apply by refraining from leaving property in your vehicle.  The community can positively impact the number of these thefts from vehicles by following these reminders.  As a result, Poway will experience an even lower crime rate and the quality of life it readily enjoys.