Public Service Announcement

I don't know how it is in other cities, but I suspect it's not too different than it is here. Thefts from vehicles (someone entering a vehicle and stealing something from it) and vehicle break-ins (someone breaking a vehicle window, then entering it and stealing something) eat cops alive. We take these reports by the dozens in any given week. They kill us.

I always tell victims the same thing (albeit too late):

If you have a garage, put your car in it. A thief is less likely to burglarize your garage to get to your car.

If you put your car in the garage, shut the garage door. A thief is even less likely to burglarize your garage if the door is closed.

If you don't have a garage, park your car in a well-lighted place, if at all possible. A thief is less likely to enter your car if it's well-lit and he might be seen.

Regardless of where you park your car, put the windows up and lock the doors. Many thieves don't want to make the noise of breaking a window to get into your car.

Don't keep anything of value in the passenger compartment. Take it with you or lock it in the trunk. If a thief does get into your car, don't sacrifice valuables to him.

Don't leave anything - and I mean anything - visible inside the passenger compartment. A thief is less likely to enter your car if he doesn't know for sure there's something in there he wants.

When you look in the window of my car, you see absolutely nothing. Not a pair of gloves, not an umbrella, not a pen.. Why? Because I know from experience that someone might break into my car and steal it. Remember, there are people out there who will steal absolutely anything. A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G. These are maggots who creep around in the middle of the night, looking for the opportunity to take something you worked hard for so they don't have to. They don't give two shits about how you feel or what it costs you. Their miserable, stinking lifestyles are more important.

Protect yourself.