NYPD Advise Public To Empty Cars of Electronics

A spate of car break-ins around the Carroll Gardens, Red Hook and Cobble Hill sections of Brooklyn has prompted the 76th Precinct to launch a new type of patrol: The Spot It To Secure It campaign, according to DNAInfo.

In an effort to beat crooks to a potential crime, Capt. Jeffrey Schiff is assigning officers to take note of cars parked inside the more crime-ridden areas of the precinct and document whether any tablets, iPhones or other devices are in plain sight. The driver will then be directly notified that he or she is potentially baiting a thief.

Officers of the 76th Precinct will also be checking doors of brownstones and apartments buildings, the report noted.

Each year over $1.25 billion in personal items and accessories are stolen from vehicles in about 1.85 million thefts nationwide according to the most recent statistics. 

Earlier this week NYPD officials shared additional information with the public to help prevent car break-ins. Below is their advice:

Lock your doors!

While this piece of advice seems like common sense, up to a quarter of vehicle thefts nationally are from unlocked cars, according to statistics available from law enforcement agencies. Even if you're running into the store for a quick cup of coffee on a cold winter's day or a hot summer afternoon, that's too long to leave your vehicle's contents open for the taking. Simply locking the doors will deter those who might just be waiting around for an easy target.

Keep it neat!

Almost any seemingly worthless personal item that's visible from the outside—even an empty shopping bag—could be seen as a carrier of valuables. Don't leave anything in plain sight, no matter what you think the value to be. If you have a wagon or SUV that leaves your cargo area on display, consider getting a cover. Most of these vehicles can be fitted with inexpensive retractable covers to help keep shopping bags or other belongings out of sight.

For more information on all of the programs the NYPD Crime Prevention Bureau offers, or for additional crime prevention tips, please visit www.nypdcommunityaffairs.org.