Safety for Your Vehicle

Experts estimate that one vehicle is stolen every 27 seconds in the United States.  In one year, the value of vehicles stolen can exceed $8 billion.  Unfortunately, stolen vehicles are often used to commit other crimes and only about 65 percent of stolen vehicles are ever recovered.

There are some basic steps you can take to help prevent your car from being stolen:

• Never leave your car running, or the keys in the ignition, when you are away from it, even if it is for "just a minute."  Nearly 20 percent of stolen vehicles had the keys in them.
• Boulder Municipal Code 7-6-12 and Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-1206 make it unlawful to leave your vehicle running while it is unattended.
• Always roll up the windows and lock the car, even if it is parked in front of your own home.  Approximately 50 percent of all vehicles stolen are unlocked.
• Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked.  Put them in the trunk or otherwise out of sight.
• Carry the registration and insurance card with you.  Don't leave personal identification or credit cards in your vehicle.  File your title at home.  Do not leave it in your car.
• When you pay to park in an attended lot or garage, or use valet parking, leave just the ignition or valet key with the attendant.  Make sure no personal information is attached.  Do the same when you take your car for repairs.
• Use your garage if you have one, and be sure to close the garage door, especially at night.  Over half of all vehicle thefts occur at night.
• Use license plate locking screws to secure your license plate.

Read on for more prevention and safety tips...