Tips to Prevent Car Burglary
Chief Parenti announces that the North Plainfield Police Department has unfortunately seen a recent uptick in car burglaries this January. Often times victims will report cash, phones, computers and various electronics stolen from their cars. The overwhelming majority of these burglaries are to unlocked/unsecured cars left with valuables inside or in plain sight. Rarely do we see forced entry type car burglaries due to the amount of noise required and time spent for the perpetrator. Forced entry car burglaries do occur but only when a high value item is left in plain sight and the criminal can’t resist. Criminals prefer to walk down a dark street pulling on every car handle they pass until they find an easy unlocked car to enter. These criminals may hit 10-20 cars in a night. These crimes are difficult to solve for police as the suspects travel in the cover of dark and often on bicycles remaining undetected. The department has made numerous arrests for these crimes and has always taken a proactive approach to apprehending these criminals, but sadly they are often quickly released and back on the street within days. We see repeat offenders on the street that have just been charged days earlier for a burglary. There are several steps you can take to protect yourself and your valuables from these crooks by following these tips:
- Do not leave valuable items inside or visible in your car. Lock items in your trunk or bring them inside. Keep your vehicle free from debris and limit what is kept inside of it. Do not leave purses, wallets, G.P.S., MP3 players or iPods, computers, tablets, book-bags, sunglasses, money, or anything of value inside your car. If there is nothing of value in plain view, the thief will move onto the next target.
- Close all windows and always lock all doors before leaving your vehicle.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, find another place to park. If parking on the street choose a well-lit area. Activate your security system if you have one and advertise it.
- Make a copy of your registration and insurance and keep them in your wallet or purse. Then remove all forms of identification from your vehicle. Anyone with permission to drive your vehicle should also have a copy of the registration and insurance with them to furnish to the police if necessary.
- Do not leave garage door openers, house keys or mail in your car as they can lead to residential burglary and identity theft. Don’t use the console or glove box as mobile lock boxes. These are obvious to thieves, too.
- If you see any suspicious activity or individuals, please contact the police immediately when you feel safe to do so by dialing 9-1-1 or 908-769-2937.
- Don’t think your dark tinted windows will hide your valuables. Thieves often use flashlights to see through tint.
- If you are parking your vehicle for several days check on it periodically.
We also know it’s tempting to warm your car on these cold mornings but thieves also know this and it’s an easy way for your car to be driven away and stolen.
Remember, you have the opportunity to prevent yourself from becoming a car burglary victim and you can do so by removing your valuables from your vehicle and locking them in a safe place, and by locking your vehicle. By following these helpful tips you can help the North Plainfield Police Department protect you and your property.
