As many of you may know, Board member Joe Bowen is a Deputy Sheriff in St Johns County.  He authors a monthly column, Ask Deputy Joe, in which he responds to reader questions.  Here is his response to a question regarding the prevention of vehicle break-ins. 

 

Question:  I understand there have been a lot of cars being broken into – my question ---- can you give us some tips on how to prevent this from happening?

 

Answer:  There are three elements needed to commit the act of Auto Burglary, they are desire, ability and opportunity for the criminal.  Today in our society we have become complacent which creates opportunity for the thief, if we could remove the opportunity we could possibly prevent the crime from occurring.  Desire is easy, the criminal wants something for nothing, example Free Laptop, Free Jewelry, Free CD’s, Free Money etc. . . . Our challenge is to take away the Opportunity from the criminal.  I will list some tips that would assist us with this challenge.

1.     Remove all visible items from your vehicle – If you leave items visible in your car, you will only strength the desire for the thief to take those free items. The thief will break a window to just to steal a small amount of change or a pair of sun-glasses. Items the criminal is looking for:

 Briefcases, Cash, Computers, Cell Phones (& chargers), CD’s (&CD cases), Day Planners (opportunity to know your routine), Garage Door Openers (Subject knows where you live – beware you might have a future Home Burglary), Gym Bags, Jewelry, Mail (yes mail – opportunity for I. D. theft), Purses& Wallets (also, potential for I. D. theft)

  1. Always lock your vehicle-up including the truck, hatchback and windows. 

The recent auto burglaries that you are referring to, most of the entries were made through an unlocked door.

  1. Park in a well-lit area and then check to see that your vehicle is visible to pedestrians and vehicle traffic this will lessen the opportunity.
  2. Park your vehicle with wheels turned toward the curb, even when parking in driveways and parking lots.  This makes your vehicle difficult to tow.
  3. Don’t leave your original registration or title in your vehicle.  File the title at home in a safe place and get into the habit of carrying your registration in your purse or wallet.  When sharing a vehicle, provide a copy of the registration to the other drivers.

 

    6.  Activate any anti-theft devices you have anytime you vacate your vehicle

 

It is difficult to take the Desire and Ability away from the Criminal – but we can lessen the opportunity.