:: Crime Prevention Unit  

CHIEF'S MESSAGE

Cars are costly. They represent a sizable investment of your dollars and time. Buying and running them can take a hefty hunk of a monthly budget.

And yet many car owners fail, or forget, to take the basic common-sense precautions that could foil a car thief: lock you car and pocket the keys.

On an average, 1 car is stolen in Fall River every day. Most of them are eventually recovered but not without the loss of time, money and peace of mind of the owners.

Car thieves are waiting for you to be careless or forgetful. This page contains information that can help you prevent car theft -- and protect your investment. Read it carefully, discuss it with all the drivers in your family and practice prevention.

Remember, if you are careless, you may soon be car–less.

Sincerely,

John M. Souza
Chief of Police

AUTO THEFT PREVENTION TIPS

• Never leave your keys in the ignition, not even at home or in a parking lot. It's an open invitation to theft.
• "Hiding" spare keys under the carpeting or over a sun visor is about as clever as leaving a house key under a doormat. Thieves know all the obvious places to look.
• Do not leave luggage, packages, or other easily removed items in view inside your automobile. Lock your property in the trunk. Doctors should always conceal their bags while away from their vehicles.
• Automobile thieves frequent streets and parking areas in the vicinities of public gatherings. Do not take needless risks by leaving valuables in your car when it is not necessary to be transporting them.
• Avoid transferring items to the trunk of a vehicle at a location where it is to be parked. A thief may be watching. Checkbooks, credit cards, or other credentials which a thief could misuse should not be left in a car.
• At night park in a lighted area, preferably close to a corner where a potential thief may realize that he is more likely to be observed.
• Thefts of automobile accessories have increased greatly since the introduction of bucket seats, car stereos, and special wheels. These items, as well as hubcaps and other parts should be marked as an aid to identification. Hundreds of dollars worth of automobile parts are sold at auction every year by the Police Department because the rightful owners could not be located.
• If your car is broken into or stolen, inform the police of the loss immediately. Stolen vehicles frequently are used in the commission of other crimes.

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YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A CAR OWNER

• Notify the Department of Motor Vehicle Registration whenever you move so the address on your registration can be changed. In case your vehicle is stolen, unnecessary delay can be avoided in locating you after it is recovered.
• When buying a motor vehicle from anyone except a licensed dealer, obtain the license and vehicle identification numbers so they can be checked before you part with any money.
• If you are selling your car privately and a prospective buyer wants to test it, go with him.
• Do not accept a check in payment from a stranger.
• Never carry the Certificate of Ownership (Title) in your car. Do not sign it unless and until you actually intend to transfer ownership.
• When a vehicle has been loaned to an acquaintance or relative and the borrower is late in returning it, the police cannot take a stolen report because you voluntarily allowed it to leave your control.
• The police do not have jurisdiction in cases where someone is delinquent in making payments for a car he purchased from you. Collection of payments or repossession of the vehicle is a civil matter only.

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LOCK YOUR CAR AND REMOVE YOUR KEYS

REMEMBER

ALWAYS LOCK ALL CAR DOORS
Don't help them to help themselves… Some professional thieves can open a locked car, remove what they want, and get away in 30 seconds. Fortunately, most of them are not so skilled and must rely on the carelessness of their victims. Do not offer opportunities for criminals and thrill–seeking youths to help themselves because you are negligent.

Almost half of all cars stolen had the key in the ignition...most were not locked.

NEVER LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION.
Remove the ignition key, secure all glass vents, doors, and windows when it is necessary to leave an unattended vehicle. Copy your license number and vehicle identification number on an item which you always carry in your billfold or purse. In case your vehicle is stolen, the loss can be reported at once to the Police.

FAILURE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY

• Is a violation of the law if parked on public property.
• Is an invitation to theft.
• Could become a contributing cause to some innocent person's injury or death.
• Can raise your insurance rates.

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