SPPD Safety Tips: Shopping
season is time to
be extra careful of car burglars
November 26, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Thanksgiving is Thursday, the biggest shopping day of the year is Friday and by Saturday you could be the victim of theft.
The holiday season is a big one for auto burglars, “Those thieves that like to break into your car and take all your stuff,” said Santa Paula Police Chief Steve McLean.
Like all crimes, McLean said limiting the criminal’s ability and opportunity to commit the crime can also prevent auto burglary.
“It only takes a little time and effort to make sure you’re not a victim,” he noted. “You can make a huge difference in your vulnerability to this crime.”
Thieves often walk or drive around neighborhoods looking for vehicles with unlocked doors and unsecured windows.
“They are looking for vehicles that have valuables in plain sight. It’s fast and easy to smash open a window and take valuable items lying in plain sight,” and said McLean, “It’s even easier if that vehicle is left unlocked... and too many people don’t lock their cars.”
Some simple tips to help stop vehicle burglaries start with not leaving valuables in your car, “Just common sense,” but a common occurrence.
“If you leave valuable items visible in your car, your car is automatically a target for thieves,” said McLean.
If you must leave valuable items in your car while out and about, place items out of sight before reaching your destination or move them inconspicuously.
This includes packages, backpacks, gym bags, GPS devices, cell phones, MP3 players, and so forth.
“You never know if someone is watching when you put items under a seat or throw something over them. An opportunistic thief is on the lookout for trunk-packing, and can break into your car the minute you’re out of sight.”
All vehicle doors must be locked even if you plan on being gone for a few minutes: “It only takes seconds to steal your stuff!” and McLean said thieves often just walk a parking lot or neighborhood trying vehicle doors to see if they are unlocked.
Docking stations and connector cables should also be hidden because they signal you might have an expensive smart phone or computer in your car, items easy to pawn or sell on the street.
Even loose coins or a CD can trigger an inquisitive thief who might find it worth their while to break a window and see what else might be inside.
“Very few locked auto break-ins are random,” said McLean. “The thieves see ‘something’ that makes them think there is something of value in your car.”
If you have an alarm or anti-theft device use it, try to park in busy, well-lighted areas and record the serial numbers of any items you regularly have in your vehicle.
Report any suspicious activities, persons or vehicles as they are occurring.
And remember: thieves are always eager to steal presents so be careful when shopping and loading your car.
McLean said shoppers should always park in a busy area, and at night as close as possible to lights.
“People have to be careful about taking packages out to their car, make sure they’re not being followed and try to put everything in the trunk. Always be on the alert... and if you’re nervous about going out in the parking lot by yourself at night tell a store clerk, they’ll call mall security to walk with you.”
