Tips To Protect Your Vehicle & Belongings

To avoid being a victim of a motor vehicle burglary or theft it is recommended that you take a few simple precautions.

·          Do not leave your purse, wallet, and/or briefcase in the vehicle.

·          Do not leave your keys in the ignition or hide a spare key anywhere in the vehicle.

·          Do not leave your vehicle running or unlocked while you run in to pay for gas.

·          Do not leave your cell phone and/or lap top computers in your vehicle.

·          Do not leave your compact discs or cassette tapes in plain view in your car. These are very easy items to steal and then sell again.

·          Make sure that you have the serial numbers to your speakers, radio, and/or CD player as well as to your cell phone and computers just in case your vehicle is burglarized.

·          Always lock your vehicle and roll up the windows when the vehicle is unattended.

·          Do not keep your vehicle title in your glove compartment. (Texas law does not require this.)

·          Try to park in well-lit areas at night.

·          Be aware of your surroundings and be observant of any suspicious persons in areas where you park your car.

·          An alarm system together with a kill switch could prevent your vehicle from being stolen.

The Auto Theft Prevention Authority sponsors a new program called HEAT. HEAT stands for Help End Auto Theft. This program allows for vehicle owners to register the authorized drivers of their vehicle. Once the authorized drivers are registered, the owner will be given HEAT stickers to place on the windshield and back windows of the vehicle. By registering in the HEAT program, the vehicle owner gives permission for the vehicle to be stopped when it is driven between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. to determine if it is being driven by someone other than those persons authorized. When the vehicle is checked in the computer, the officer will not only see the vehicle registration, but also the names of the authorized drivers. The name and phone number of the vehicle owner will also be able to be accessed. For more information, please call 1-800-CAR-WATCH.

This article prepared by the Harris County Sheriff’s Department Auto Theft Division and provided by Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Cunningham, Cypresswood Substation, and used with his permission.