Is Your Vehicle Unlocked? A Car Thief Sure Hopes So

The following is a release from the Oswego Police Department:

Each year, officers from the Oswego Police Department take many reports for car burglaries. During the majority of these incidents, the victim’s vehicle was unlocked and valuable items were left inside the car.

Last year, in addition to entering unlocked vehicles, offender implemented new tactics to increase their success.

Officers found there were several incidents in whch the offenders utizlied the garage door opener to gain access to the resident’s garage and the vehicles parked inside of the garage. On a few occasions after accessing the garage, the offenders were brazen enough to even enter the victim’s home.

The Oswego Police Department continue to make efforts to educate residents on how to protect their cars from being burglarized, however, we need your help. Here are some measures you can take to prevent your car(s) from being burglarized.

• Always lock your vehicle: A locked vehicle makes it more difficult for a thief to take your valuables.
• Remove your valuables: Remove your laptop computer, GPS and other valuables from your car. An empty car is less likely to draw the attention to a would-be thief.
• Conceal belongings: If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, cover them or place them in a closed container. Additionally, security blankets or shields will remove these items from plan view. Inform your children to cover their belongings or place them under their seat. This will ensure items are not seen through the vehicle’s windows.
• Remove keys fro your vehicle: Surprisingly, there have been several incidents in which residents left their car keys in an unlocked vehicle. In at least one case an offender entered a victim’s garage and a vehicle was stolen because the keys were left in the car.
• Remind teenage household drivers to lock doors: Communicate with all drivers within your home, especially teenagers, the importance of locking their car doors and adhering to the other precautions.