A rash of smash-grab-and-run vehicle robberies in our area has left many homeowners spooked. Whether it's packages or a handbag left on the car seat or a tempting stereo radio that can be plucked from the dash, it's often too easy for would-be thieves to decide, "That's MINE!"
Newer cars are much less likely to be burglarized because of features like chip-embedded keys and ignition immobilizers. Additionally, smart owners can make theirs even harder to enter, and the rest of us with older models can differentiate ours from others in the parking lot (or in our own driveway). Some of the following hints are so simple that we may chuckle and slap ourselves at the same moment, especially if our goods were stolen because of a stupid error in proactive judgment. Thanks to ShopSmart for the following examples.
1 Lock your car doors. Law enforcement statistics tell us that many break-ins aren't truly such; a thief has only to grasp the handle, open the unlocked door, retrieve what he wants and calmly walk or drive away. My own neighborhood averages at least a couple of these each month or two because the majority of victims left their car doors/windows unlocked.
2 Turn off the engine. Yep, that 30-second dash into the convenience store to buy a Coke or the few early morning minutes to warm up the car's interior while you grab a cup of coffee won't be a problem. Or will it?
3 Use or purchase a kill switch. Since most vehicles don't possess a kill switch, consider getting one installed under the dash. Designed to "kill" the ignition or fuel system, the switch costs about $300 to install. Check with your mechanic about a car alarm if your car doesn't have one. Thieves do not want to be seen or heard, so a loud noise more than likely will chase them off before any or much damage occurs.
4. What about an electronic tracking device? These babies work great; while inexpensive at about $150, you will also pay around $20-25 monthly, however.
5. Hide the packages, purses, cell phones, and so forth in the trunk. A past column stipulated not to park, pop the trunk, hide things, and then walk away. This is an open invite to anyone watching (and they truly are, believe me). I further urged readers (and still do) to drive to another parking spot after placing items in the trunk, even if you have to walk a bit further to your next destination or back into the mall to load up a second time.
6. Always park in the light. If you can't find a brightly-lit spot, drive on until you do. Thieves (and muggers and rapists) watch for dimly-lit places as it's easier and safer (for them) to do their dirty work.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com.