Crisco offers tips from police to help prevent car break-ins

HARTFORD - Noting recent news stories about car break-ins in Cheshire and the Valley, state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. D-Woodbridge, is offering a list of tips from police to help prevent car break-ins.

Joseph J. Crisco

“A lot of this is just common sense: lock your vehicle, and keep your valuables out of sight,” Crisco said. 
“It’s unfortunate that some individuals try and make a living stealing from hardworking people, but if they are going to do that, we should make it as difficult as possible for them.” 

Tips offered by Crisco and police officials include:

• First of all, roll up your car windows all the way and lock your doors every time you leave your vehicle unattended. This goes without saying!
• Second, never leave anything visible inside your vehicle! This is the single most important thing you can do to prevent your car window from being smashed and your valuables stolen. Place valuables out of sight in your center console, under a seat, in a glove box, a map pocket, or in the trunk. Better yet – leave your valuables at home, or take them with you!
• GPS units are the most common items stolen in car break-ins. Even the mere presence of a suction cup ring on your windshield or dashboard indicates to a thief that a valuable electronic is hidden in a console or glovebox, so clean that up!
• Handbags, purses, wallets, gym bags, and briefcases are the second-most stolen items. Place these large items in the trunk if you can.
• Unfortunately, putting large items in your trunk while in a parking lot might tip off a thief that you have good stuff to steal. Try to place large, valuable items in your trunk before you leave your house, or consider using the “pass through” feature from the rear seat to the trunk that some cars have.
• CDs, DVDs, radar detectors, GPS units, cell phones and MP3 players usually have cords and chargers. You may not leave the big item out in plain view, but if a thief sees a cord or a charger, he knows that a valuable electronic is likely in the car too. Hide these cords and chargers as well! 
• A lot of laptop computers, notebooks, and cell phones have cases, too. Place these out of sight!
• Believe it or not, your loose change in a cup holder or open ash tray can also be inviting to thieves. Hide your loose change! 
• Finally, if you have a car alarm, be sure to use it, but don’t count on it to deter a thief. A thief can get in and out of your car in about 30 seconds, too fast for even the most well-meaning citizen or police officer to respond.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.