Summer is officially here! It’s time to roll down the windows and hit the road for family vacations, barbeques and baseball. And while we’re out celebrating our freedom, we should also be mindful that summertime is prime time for car thieves. In fact, July has been named National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month.
The National Traffic Safety Administration dedicates this month to educating vehicle owners on reducing their chances of having their vehicle or vehicle contents stolen. Identifying theft risks, minimizing vulnerabilities and protecting valuable assets are essential steps to take now and in the coming months.
Vehicle theft is a major issue across the United States. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), 1,001,967 vehicles were stolen in 2022, which means 1.9 vehicles are stolen every minute. While passenger cars make up most stolen vehicles, commercial vans and trucks are also prime targets.
Thieves don’t just want vehicle parts; they want valuable personal items, too. Some of the most popular vehicle parts or valuable items stolen from vehicles include doors, engines, transmissions, airbags, radios, GPS units, cell phones, iPads, laptops and purses.
Captain John Newell of the Newtown Township Police Department said that in our community and surrounding townships, they have seen a surge in vehicle thefts over the past two months. “Almost every theft we have encountered recently has been because the owner left their car unlocked and the keys inside,” he explained. “We could drastically reduce the number of thefts in our area if residents would simply lock their car doors.”
John cautions homeowners to be extra vigilant if they have garage door opener remotes in their vehicles. “We have seen cases where a car is left unlocked, and the garage door remote is used to gain access to the home,” he said. “Most people leave their keys, wallets and purses by the entry door giving the thief an easy way to steal more than your car.”
In addition to locking your car doors at night, there are more ways to protect your vehicle and valuable belongings:
• Use common sense when parking and exiting your vehicle.
• Do not leave your vehicle running.
• Take your vehicle’s key; do not leave it in or on your vehicle.
• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
• Park in well-lit areas if possible.
• Never leave valuables in your car, especially if they can be seen outside. If you must leave them in your car, lock them in the trunk.
• Use a visible deterrent, such as a steering wheel lock.
• Do not leave your vehicle title or important documents in the car that can be used to steal your identity.
There are also numerous antitheft systems and devices designed to make vehicles more difficult to steal or easier to trace and recover. Immobilizing devices prevent thieves from bypassing a vehicle’s ignition system and hot-wiring the car. Some devices even use computer chips in ignition keys to disable the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine. Vehicle recovery systems use electronic transmission technology that assists law enforcement in locating the stolen vehicle—and possibly making an arrest.
If you do find that you are a victim of vehicle theft, it’s crucial to follow these steps:
• Contact the police immediately to file a stolen-vehicle report. You will need a copy of the police report and a case number to provide to your insurance company. You will also need to provide the following information:
• License plate number.
• Make, model, and color of your vehicle.
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and any identifying characteristics.
• Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of your car being stolen.
To learn more about Vehicle Theft Prevention, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website, www.NHTSA.gov.