Vehicle Crime: Please Protect Yourself!

Yesterday evening was, by all definitions, unnerving.

We were in the restaurant no more than an hour when it took place, but after my friend and I walked back out to our respective vehicles we had no idea we’d be there a few more hours. In all actuality he had gotten off lucky, but as my friend walked stiffly over to my truck his face was filled with tranquil fury.

Someone had knocked out the locks on his truck doors, broken the driver side handle and had attempted to hotwire his truck.

 My jaw dropped.

It really was one of those times that I actually thought to myself: “What the heck!? We go here all the time! It can’t happen to us! At least not here!”

But it did, right on the corner of the parking lot and in broad daylight, albeit rainy daylight. And so far we’re not sure what they stole, but if they did steal anything my friend’s insurance won’t be covering it.

Sometimes we end up being the unlikely, but unlucky victims of events such as these and like I said, it could have been worse. We could have walked out to no vehicle, period. I just wanted to take a moment to give out a few tips that I try to follow and that I learned from the officer who came out to file the police report.

Ladies and Lads, please remember…

Keep the minimum amount of personal identification information in your vehicle. Identity theft is a big issue right now and the police officer couldn’t emphasize this enough.

Do not leave anything of value out and on the car seats or floorboards. It’s just one window smash away from being snatched away.

If you’re the type of person who likes to sit in your vehicle while in a parking lot to eat or to take a call remember to lock your doors and keep your windows up half way.

Always lock your vehicle up, no matter where it’s parked. Which obviously means: Never walk away from your vehicle while it’s running! Don’t do it, even if you’ll be gone no more than a minute.

While returning to your vehicle keep your eyes peeled for anyone following you or watching your movements. You’re your own first line of defense against someone foolish enough to try and harm you.

If you keep pepper spray on yourself, keep it within reach! Pepper spray will do you no good if you have to spend precious time searching for it. I advise, wherever you go, if you feel even the slightest inkling of a threat or if it’s getting dark to keep it in your hand, ready to go.

Report anything happening to yourself or your vehicle to the police, insurance company and the store or restaurant you’ve just left asap. If you’re lucky, the store or restaurant might have security cameras and if not you may be the deciding factor in getting some installed.

I hope everyone does their best to protect themselves from preventable crimes. If you have any other words of advice, please comment them.

Stay safe out there!