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The
Myrtle Beach Police Department Crime Prevention Section is proud to
provide our residents and visitors with these tips so that you do not
become a victim of crime.
Preventing Vehicle
Break-ins/Thefts
Preventing Vehicle
Break-ins/Thefts -
The following tips help prevent vehicle
break-ins, which could lead to theft of the vehicle itself or of
property items from the vehicle.
-
Park in open, well-lighted, and
populated areas near your destination. Avoid parking near trucks,
vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and
provide hiding places. Avoid parking near strangers loitering or
sitting in vehicles.
-
Park in lots or garages where you
don’t have to leave your keys.
-
Park in your garage, if you have
one. Don’t leave your vehicle on the street, in an alley, or on your
driveway. If you have to park on a street, avoid dark or isolated
areas.
-
Turn off your engine, roll up all
windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are
making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your
driveway. Close all windows.
-
Don’t leave spare keys in your
vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places. Store
spare keys in your wallet.
-
Don’t leave your vehicle in an
unattended public lot for an extended period time.
-
Install an alarm system that will
sound when someone attempts to break in, move, tilt, or start your
vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving the vehicle.
-
Check your vehicle if you hear the
alarm sound. But don’t try to stop a person attempting to break in.
Get a good description of the person and call the police.
To prevent theft of the vehicle itself:
-
Turn your wheels sharply toward the
curb when parking on a street.
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Use anti-theft devices that can be
attached to the steering wheel or column, or brake pedal. Use one
every time you leave your vehicle unattended. Steering wheel locks
are inexpensive and are recommended by some experts to be the most
cost-effective theft deterrent on the market today.
-
Buy a vehicle with a locking
ignition or steering column.
-
Chain motorcycles and bicycles to
stationary objects when unattended.
-
Consider having your VIN (Vehicle
Identification Number) etched on all the windows.
To prevent the theft of property from a
vehicle:
-
Roll the windows up and lock the
doors.
-
Never leave any contents or
valuables in plain sight. Remove cellular phones, audio systems,
computers, packages, sport equipment, cameras, purses, etc. Lock
them in the trunk before you park or take them with you. And
if you can’t replace an item, don’t leave it anywhere in your
vehicle.
Recovering a Stolen
Vehicle or Property Taken from a Vehicle
-
Call the police immediately and
provide a complete description of the vehicle and any property taken
from it, including a license plate. Vehicles should be described by:
year, make, model, color(s), VIN, insurance company and policy
number, license plate number and state, and name of any tracking and
locator system installed in the vehicle. Property should be
described by type, make, model, serial number, and fair market
value.
-
Etch your driver’s license number on
all removable valuable items, e.g., audio equipment.
-
Don’t leave your driver’s license in
the vehicle.
-
Keep a record of the VIN, license
plate number, and insurance information in your wallet or purse.
Also be able to provide the information listed above for any
property that might be stolen from the vehicle.
-
Don’t leave your vehicle title in
the vehicle.
-
Install a
vehicle tracking and location system that can be activated after the
vehicle is reported as stolen.
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© Copyright 2004, The City of Myrtle Beach. All rights
reserved.
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