Auto burglary is the stealing of property from within a locked vehicle. It is a very common form of theft, but it is one that is easily prevented. Auto burglars, like home burglars, look for easy targets, such as unlocked doors, open windows, and property left in plain sight. Auto burglars do not want to be seen, heard, or take an excessive amount of time to commit their crime.

By meeting the following prevention checklist, you will deter criminals from burglarizing your vehicle:

– Lock your vehicle.

– Close your windows.

– Always take your keys with you after you park your vehicle.

– Remove or hide your garage remote when you leave your vehicle unattended.

– Set your car alarm every time you park your vehicle.

– Do not use spare keys hidden on or in your vehicle. Consider a spare key in your wallet instead.

– Park and lock your vehicle in your garage whenever possible.

– Remove personal information such as driver license, registration, etc., from unattended vehicles.

– Do not leave purses, wallets, cash, laptops, expensive sun glasses, cell phones, and other easy-to-carry valuables in your vehicle cabin.

– Never leave valuables in plain sight! Lock all valuables in the trunk or take them with you.

– Remove detachable stereos and faceplates from your vehicle when you park it unattended.

– When equipment or tools must be kept in a vehicle, use a strong-walled and/or tamper-proof box that can be bolted down and secured with heavy duty locks. Do not assume a box is secure merely because it is heavy.

– When possible, do not park your vehicle in isolated or dark areas.

For more information or to speak with Goleta’s Community Resource Deputy David Valadez please feel free to contact him at the office at 805-968-3878. Deputy Valadez is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about auto burglary and other neighborhood issues.