Auto-Theft Prevention

Vehicle theft is a national problem. It is the largest dollar-loss crime per year.
In Charleston, the primary problem is not professional car thieves taking new, expensive cars to “chop-shops” or shipping them overseas. Instead it is juveniles and others driving them to show-off, to use for free transportation, or to loan to a drug-dealer in exchange for drugs. We have an unusually high recovery rate (approx 84% compared to 36-39% nationally) because the cars are abandoned after their use.

OWNERS MAKE CAR THEFT EASY WHEN:
• The vehicle was left running, unattended
• A key was left in the ignition, OR
• Owner’s hidden spare key was found (glove-box, ashtray)
• The vehicle was left unlocked or a window left open
• The vehicle was not protected with any anti-theft devices
• The vehicle was parked in an isolated area

COMMON TARGETED AREAS INCLUDE:
• Mall/Shopping Center lots
• Apartment Complex lots
• New & Used Dealership lots
• Short-term Parking lots downtown


PROTECTION MEASURES:
• Locking devices on steering wheels or brakes (like The CLUB)
• Park in your garage (Keep garage doors closed!)
• Keep car-doors locked and windows closed
• Remove keys from vehicle
• Alarms
• Have your vehicle’s identification number etched in the window glass
• Use tracking devices to assist police in locating your vehicle (like Onstar or LoJack)
• Kill switches

USE COMMON SENSE!
Do not leave the vehicle running unattended! This in itself is against City Ordinance, subject to $100 fine in the City of Charleston (on City streets and in lots under police jurisdiction) and may lead to civil liability on the operator/owner of the vehicle if the car is taken and causes damage or injury.

Approximately 1/3 of the reported stolen vehicles in the Charleston area aredue to keys left in the vehicle. About 80% of these stolen vehicles are for short term transportation and may be used in committing other crimes.

Common reasons people leave cars running unattended are:
• “I was only a minute.”
• “I was paying for gas.”
• “I was just getting a pack of cigarettes.”
• “I was warming the car.”
• “I was delivering a pizza.”

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