SDSU Police Department
Protecting Property
Tips to Safeguard your Personal Property
Protect Your Automobile
Professional car thieves can open a locked car, remove what they want and get away in a matter of seconds. Most car thieves rely on the carelessness of their victims. According to the FBI, most cars are stolen because they are easy to steal. Many stolen cars were left unlocked, and many drivers actually leave the keys in the ignition. Remember to lock your car and take your keys with you.
Auto theft crimes most often take place at night and are committed by young males. Top spots for auto theft include malls, apartments, stores, churches and office buildings. The following precautions will greatly reduce your chances of being victimized:
Factors to Reduce Risk
- Never leave your car unlocked, the windows rolled down, or the keys in the ignition.
- Never leave spare keys in the car or in “hiding spots.” An experienced thief knows all the hiding places. Store spare keys in your wallet.
- No matter how quick the errand, never leave your car running unattended, not even in your own driveway.
- Remove knob-type door lock buttons and replace them with tapered ones.
- If you spend hard-earned money for security devices, Use them every time you leave your car unattended.
Parking
- Avoid leaving an auto unattended in public parking lots for an extended period of time. A car is five times more likely to be stolen from an unattended lot than form the street or an attended lot.
- At night, park in well lighted areas with pedestrian traffic. Auto thieves do not like working in spots where they are clearly visible.
- Whenever possible, turn wheels sharply toward the curb when parking, making it extra difficult for thieves to tow your car.
- If you have a garage, use it.
- Keep contents and valuables (car hones, purses, packages, etc. ) out of sight. Lock them in the trunk or store them under the seat. If you can't replace it don't leave it in your vehicle.
Security Devices
Many cars are taken for their parts, and no car is too old. An automobile in parts may be worth 3 times its value as a whole auto. Anti-theft devices are not foolproof. However, they can stop the amateur and slow the professional.
- Steering Wheel Lock: Steel rod locks to steering wheel and prevents wheels from turning. (Recommended by some experts to be the most cost effective auto theft deterrent on the market today. It will stop most opportunistic thieves.)
- Ignition and Steering Column Lock: Lockable steel cover encases steering column, preventing access to ignition.
- Fuel Cut-Off: Integrated into the fuel line, this device prevents the flow of gasoline once the fuel to the gas line is used. Only a special key deactivates the cut-off.
- Door Locks: Visible inside door locks should be smooth and tapered.
- Hood Locks: A secondary hood lock installed to prevent access to the power circuit, battery or siren for an alarm system. A key operated bolt, which is accessible form inside the car, or a chain which is accessible from the outside, should also be installed.
Car Alarms
An alarm system will deter or discourage the car thief and alert others of forced entry into the car.
- Siren. The sounding device, used in lieu of the horn, is installed in the engine compartment and should have an audible range of at least 300 feet.
- Pin switches. Plunger type switches installed on the doors, hood and trunk, which when released to their fullest extension, activate the siren.
- Glass protection. A sensing device is available that discriminates the sound of breaking glass and can be used in conjunction with switches for overall alarm protection.
- Voltage sensing device. This device is attached to the wiring of the vehicle and triggers the alarm when a drain of power is detected, such as power form an interior, hood or trunk light.
- Motion sensing device. Sends out sound waves above human hearing and is activated by any disturbance in the sound wave pattern. (Note: This alarm system can and has been activated by vibrations of passing vehicles.)
- Mercury or tilt switches. Placed in the car, it will detect any motion of the car. (Note: Cannot be used when parked on a hill, slope or other than flat ground.)
- Switch lock. A key-operated electrical switch which turns the alarm system on or off. If placed on the outside of the vehicle it should be in an accessible location. A visible switch is an indication that the car is alarmed, and may deter a thief.
- Timed delay switch. A key-operated electrical switch that is interior-mounted and allows a 10- to 45-second delay before the alarm is activated.
Additional Tips
- Don’t leave your pink slip in the car.
- Have your registration information readily available in the event your car is stolen.
- Mark all your stereo equipment with your California drivers license number. Use an engraving tool, and record your serial number.
- If your car is stolen, call the police immediately.
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Protect Your Bicycle
A bicycle can be stolen from just about any place, but simple precautions can deter would-be bike thieves. Remember, most bikes that are stolen were not locked! The following precautions will greatly reduce your chances of your bicycle being stolen:
Factors to Reduce Risk
- Always lock your bicycle securely, whether you’re gone for a few minutes or a few minutes or a few hours.
- Use a U-lock, securing both wheels and the frame to a stationary object such as a post, fence, tree, or a bike rack.
- For extra security, add a chain or cable with a good padlock. Always park your bike where it can be easily seen.
- Remember locking the bike itself by securing the wheel to the frame doesn’t help, because a thief can carry it away and remove the lock later.
- If you spend hard-earned money for security devices, Use them every time you leave your bike unattended.
- Report suspicious persons or anyone loitering around bike racks for no apparent reason.
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Protect Your Purse or Backpack
More crimes against people are committed on the street than any other place. The thief is usually a minor under the age of twenty-one. Most purse snatchers are males; however, females are also a threat. Many purse snatches are committed solely to finance narcotics addictions. In many cases, the purse snatcher is riding a bicycle. He usually approaches from behind, in a hit-and-run manner, catching you off guard. He will usually strike when you are walking home, or to and from your car, or when you are waiting for transportation. A purse snatcher might even ask the time or for directions to make you drop your guard or to preoccupy you.
The following precautions will greatly reduce your chances of being victimized:
Factors to Reduce Risk
- If at all possible, don’t carry a purse.
- When possible, carry your wallet, keys, and other valuables on your person, or in an inside pocket or other suitable place, rather than your purse. Your purse should be used to carry brushes, combs, make-up, etc.
- Credit cards and checks should be carried instead of cash. Maintain a record of the account numbers at home. Practice carrying only the cards you will be using.
- Carry a shoulder bag securely between your arm and body away from traffic.
- If you are wearing a coat, carry a purse worn over the shoulder, but under the coat.
- Watch your surroundings. Be alert for suspicious persons especially around banks, stores, streets and your home.
- At night, stay in well lighted areas and avoid walking close to shrubbery, dark doorways or other places of concealment.
- Practice “Buddy Shopping”, and shop with a friend when possible. When walking in twos, place your purse between you and your friend.
- Carry a clutch bag unsnapped and upside down between your arm and body with any valuables in the zippered compartment. If someone attempts to steal your purse, loosen your grip, thus allowing the contents to fall to the ground.
- Consider a “fanny pack” whenever possible.
- Don’t carry large amounts of money. The first rule is to limit your losses. Don't carry more than you can easily afford to lose.
- Don’t carry unnecessary valuables in your purse or backpack.
- Don’t let your purse hang loosely in your hand.
- Don’t carry a lethal weapon; it could be used against you.
- If attacked, don’t fight. Surrender the purse or backpack. It can be replaced; you cannot be. Notify police immediately after an attack. If there is a witness, ask that person to stay until police arrive.
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Resources
From a series of brochures developed by Public Safety's Crime Prevention Unit:
Additional Material
Topics from Public Safety's Publications:
Public Safety / Police Department
Personal Safety Awareness
Crime Prevention Specialist
Phone: 619-594-1985
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This page last updated July 5, 2007
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