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A guide to motor vehicle theft prevention.

By North Carolina Crime Prevention Division Department of Crime Control And Public Safety

HOW SAFE IS YOUR VEHICLE FROM THIEVES?

A vehicle is stolen every 21 seconds in the United States. If auto theft were legalized and incorporated, it would rank 56^th among the Fortune 500 companies.

Learn how to protect your vehicle from theft. For the best protection use a "layered" approach -- the more layers of protection on your vehicle, the more difficult it becomes to steal.

To determine how many "layers" of protection is best for your vehicle, you first need to determine how much of a target your car is to thieves. Answer the following questions and total your points in the box provided. Your total score will determine how many layers of protection your vehicle needs.

Layered Protection

Professional thieves can steal any car. Make them work for yours. Your total score in the Theft Protection Checkup will determine how many "layers of protection " your vehicle needs. The more layers, the more difficult your car is to steal.

Layer 1 0-5 points: Common Sense

Layer 2 6-10 points: Warning Device

Layer 3 11-12 points: Immobilizing Device

Layer 4 13-16 points: Tracking Device

LOCATION

What is your city's population?

More than 250,000 8 points

250,000 to 100,001 6 points

100,000 to 50,001 4 points

50,000 to 10,000 2 points

Less than 10,000 0 points

Although the trend is changing, FBI statistics indicate city drivers are more likely to become a vehicle theft victim then suburban motorists

Vehicle Style

What type of vehicle do you drive?

Sports Car 5 points

Luxury Car 4 points

Utility Vehicle 4 points

Sedan 3 points

Passenger Van 1 point

Station Wagon 0 points

According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, the style of your vehicle is one of the biggest factors in determining its theft rate.

Vehicle age

How old is your vehicle?

0-5 years 2 points

6-9 years 1 point

10+ years 0 points

Middle-aged vehicles are often stolen and used as replacement parts for other aging vehicles.

Bonus Point

Add one point to your score if you live within 100 miles of an international border or port.

Vehicles stolen in these communities are sometimes shipped or driven into foreign countries.

POINTS

Location	Style	Age	Bonus	TOTAL

Information on layered protection provided by NICB.

A GUIDE TO LAYERED PROTECTION

First Layer:

Common Sense

0-5 points

Always lock your vehicle. Keep the windows closed. Never leave the car running or leave the key in the ignition. Keep valuables out of sight. Park in well lit areas. The common sense approach to protection is the simplest and most cost effective way to thwart potential thieves.

Second Layer:

Warning Device

6-10 points

A visual or audible device alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected before they attempt to steal it. According to a recent study by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, users of visible deterrent devices were four times less likely to become a victim of vehicle theft.

Third Layer:

Immobilizing Device

11-12 points

Electronic immobilizing devices prevent thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other manual devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch is activated. A third category passively immobilizes the vehicle by interrupting the starter, ignition and fuel.

Fourth Layer:

Tracking Device

13-16 points

A tracking system emits a signal to police or a monitoring service when the vehicle is reported stolen. Tracking systems are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles.

In North Carolina:

• A vehicle theft occurs every 21 minutes and 39 seconds.
• In 1996 24,279 motor vehicles stolen
• The motor vehicle theft rate increased 51% from 1987 to 1996.
• In 1996 the greatest number of vehicles were stolen in the month of July.
• The total value of stolen vehicles for 1996 was $161,185,520.
• The Honda Accord and the Ford Mustang were the top two vehicles stolen in 1996.

Always

• Lock your car.
• Take the key.
• Do not hide spare keys in or under the vehicle. They can be found.
• Never leave the registration/insurance card in the vehicle; thieves will be able to provide legitimate documents when stopped by police. Place documents in a plastic envelope and store in the trunk of the vehicle.
• Use an auto-theft device such as alarm, kill switch, steering wheel locking device, gas cap lock (thief cannot add fuel), or tracking device.

When Parking

• Store valuables out of sight.
• Leave only essential key with lot attendant.
• Take parking stub with you.
• Park in busy well-lighted areas.
• Park with wheels turned sharply toward curb.
• Avoid leaving your vehicle in public parking lots for an extended period of time.

Make Your Car Tough to Steal

Your vehicle is one of the largest investments you make. New vehicles are not the only targets for car thieves. Older model vehicles are also very desirable. Thieves look for vehicles that can be resold quickly or stripped for parts. In most cases, a vehicle's parts are worth two or three times the value of the vehicle.

No vehicle or anti-theft device is 100% theft-proof, nor is discouraging thieves an easy task. A thief's greatest enemy is time. The more difficult your car is to steal, the longer it takes to be stolen. The more time a thief has to spend stealing your car, the greater the chance of detection. By making your car a tougher target, the thief will probably move on to a vehicle that is easier to steal.

Quick Tips to Prevent Carjacking

• Keep Your Doors Locked and windows rolled up (at least partway, if it is hot).
• Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out flyers.
• When coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver around other vehicles should you need to get away.
• Drive in the center lane to make it harder for potential cajackers to approach your vehicle.
• If another vehicle bumps you, be aware of your surroundings before you get out of your vehicle.
• If the situation makes you uneasy jot down the other vehicle's information and signal the vehicle to follow you to the nearest police station or welllighted and busy area.
• Avoid driving alone, especially at night.
• Do not stop to assist a stranger whose vehicle appears to be broken. Help instead by driving to the nearest phone and contacting the police.

Program Description

"WATCH YOUR CAR NORTH CAROLINA' is an auto theft prevention program funded by the Bureau of justice Assistance, Office of justice Programs, United States Department of justice. It is a voluntary vehicle registration program designed to deter auto theft and assist in the apprehension of auto thieves. Vehicle owners sign an agreement stating their vehicle is not normally driven between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. If a police officer observes the vehicle being driven during these hours, they may stop the vehicle and verify that the vehicle owner or a person designated by the owner is operating the vehicle.

The registration process consists of the completion of a registration/consent form that can be obtained by your local participating law enforcement agency. In Old West Durham that is the District Two Substation at Northgate Mall (560-4582). Law enforcement will then affix "WATCH YOUR CAR NORTH CAROLINIA" decals in the proper place on the vehicle's windshield and rear window. The decals notify police officers across the nation that the vehicle is registered with the "WATCH YOUR CAR NORTH CAROLINA' program. Information from the registration database, which will administered by the Crime Prevention Division.

Registration is for a four-year period and is free to all registered vehicle owners in the state of North Carolina. Vehicle owners wishing to participate in the program must present their vehicle and the following documents to a participating Law Enforcement Agency to register the vehicle:

• Photo identification (driver's license ID card, etc.);
• Proof of mandatory financial responsibility (insurance) for the vehicle;
• Current vehicle registration or copy of the vehicle title.

The vehicle owner verifies tile completed information and signs the registration form. The registering law enforcement agency/ officer must then physically inspect the vehicle to determine that it is the vehicle the owner the states it to be. The officer registering the vehicle should male a stolen vehicle inquiry at this time.

Decals

All vehicles participating in "WATCH YOUR CAR NORTH CAROLINA" use the decals shown below.

Decal #1 is applied to the front outside windshield above the inside rearview mirror.

Decal #2 is placed on the outside lower left corner of the rear window. This decal may also be placed on the left corner of the bumper if the vehicle has tinted windows or is a convertible.

For more information on WATCH YOUR CAR NORTH CAROLINA or Auto Theft contact the Durham Police District Two Substation at Northgate Mall (560-4582).

Prepared by: Victoria Hartford
Crime Prevention Specialist