VEHICLE BURGLARY IF YOUR CAR IS STOLEN
Vehicle
PREVENTION
Promptly report it to law enforcement and your
insurance company. Have this information ready:
• NEVER leave the keys in your vehicle.
• Always lock the doors, even when you are
away from the vehicle for a short time. NEVER YEAR___________________________________
Security
leave your vehicle running unattended.
• Always roll up your windows when you leave COLOR__________________________________
your vehicle, even when it’s parked in the
driveway or garage. MAKE___________________________________
• Place items out of sight before you reach
your destination. If you can’t take personal MODEL__________________________________
property with you, lock items in the trunk. Tips to help reduce the chance of your
Do not place them under the seat. This LICENSE PLATE__________________________
includes your purse or wallet, CDs, books, vehicle being stolen or burglarized.
cash, keys, cell phone, laptop, garage door VIN_____________________________________
opener, gym bag, briefcase, jewelry, tools,
packages, etc. If a thief breaks into your INSURANCE CO.__________________________
vehicle and steals your garage door opener
and keys, they have access to your home. POLICY #________________________________
• Do not leave ANY mail in your vehicle. These
have your name, address and possibly contain INSURANCE AGENT_______________________
personal financial information.
• Remove “pull out” style stereos and/or INS. AGENT PHONE (_____) ______-_________
removable face plates of stereos.
• Park in well-lighted areas. At home, park your
vehicle near porch lights if you don’t have a
garage. Install motion detectors. (Keep this information in a safe place)
• At night park in well-lighted areas with
pedestrian traffic.
• Avoid alleys.
• Set any alarm or anti-theft device.
• NEVER leave any documents, credit cards or
checkbook in your vehicle. Remove the Mesa Police Department
vehicle registration from your vehicle and keep Crime Prevention
it with you. 480-644-2300
• NEVER place hidden keys in the car. www.mesaaz.gov/police
A locking gas cap. WATCH YOUR CAR
YOU CAN HELP PREVENT An alarm device which will activate a
CAR THEFT siren, horn or lights — or all three — to
The Watch Your Car program requires
frighten the thief away before he is able
Though professional car thieves have entered the participants to register their vehicles with a law
to steal your car. Avoid a security system
field in increasing numbers, most cars are still enforcement official, which will enter it into a
with an override feature.
taken by amateurs who can be stopped fairly special database developed by the Arizona
easily. You can greatly increase your protection Automobile Theft Authority (AATA) and maintained
against this type of crime by taking the following by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
VIN ETCHING...
sensible precautions.
Registered participants will then display the
This is chemically etching the vehicle identification “Watch Your Car” decal in the window of their
LOCK UP... number on the windows of your vehicle which vehicle. By displaying the decal, vehicle owners
effectively discourages thieves from taking your convey to law enforcement officials that their
• An unlocked car is an open invitation to a car vehicle. Chop shops thrive on vehicles that have vehicle is not usually in use between the hours of
thief. Lock up whenever you leave your car, easily removable VINs or no etching at all. 1 am and 5 am, when the majority of auto thefts
and take the keys with you.
occur.
• Lock the trunk and/or tailgate. The Mesa Police Department, as well as many
• Close all windows -- professional thieves have other Valley agencies, offer VIN etching for free. If a police officer sees the vehicle in operation
tools that help unlock cars through a minimum Check the Mesa Police Web site for upcoming between these hours, they have the right to pull it
of open space. Mesa events — www.cityofmesa.org/police. over and question the operator. With access to the
AATA database, the officer will be able to
USE “ANTI-THEFT” DEVICES... determine if the vehicle has been stolen or not.
IF YOU ARE LEAVING YOUR VEHICLE This also allows law enforcement officials to notify
• When buying a car, check the manufacturer’s BEHIND WHILE ON VACATION OR the vehicle’s owner immediately upon
list of anti-theft options, such as interior hood
GONE FOR THE SUMMER... determination that it is being illegally operated.
and trunk releases, locking steering columns
and others. To register a vehicle with the Watch Your Car
• Disable the vehicle using a starter interrupt
• Consider the purchase and installation of program, the owner must present a valid driver's
switch (“kill switch”).
security devices, such as: license, vehicle registration, proof of ownership,
• Take the keys with you.
Electric windows/doors. and proof of vehicle insurance. For registration
• Remove the distributor cap.
Electronic key. locations call: 1-888-NO-THIEF. Register online at
• Manually lock your garage.
Keypad access. www.azwatchyourcar.com. Click on the Watch
Steering wheel lock. Your Car link.
Interior hood lock and release.
A starter interrupt switch (“kill switch”)
which prevents electrical current from
reaching the coil distributor, or a fuel
switch which prevents fuel from reaching
the carburetor.