Vehicle Burglaries: Can I Help Prevent Them?

Presented by:

Richardson Police Department
Crime Prevention Unit
140 N Greenville Ave
Richardson TX 75081

Phone: 972-744-4955
Web Site: www.cor.net/pd

•	In 2002, there was a total of 1,240 vehicle offenses in Richardson
•	683 of those were valuables taken from inside a car
•	557 of those were accessories taken from a car, such as a CD/stereo, 
	wheels, tires, etc.

Vehicle burglaries can occur any time.  In restaurant parking lots and 
shopping malls, they occur in the daytime or the evening.  In business 
parking lots, they occur most frequently during the daytime.  In 
residential areas and apartment complexes, they generally occur overnight.

Reduce your chances of being a s learn of vehicle burglary.  Become
familiar with this information and follow the suggestions to help deter 
vehicle burglaries.

•	Cell phones
•	Pagers
•	Palm pilots/PDA's
•	Cigarettes
•	Money or loose change
•	CD's
•	Briefcases
•	Purses
•	Wallets
•	Radar Detectors
•	Sporting Equipment and athletic bags
•	Portable CD players/radios
•	Removable stereo faceplates
•	Clothing items
•	Laptop computers
•	Weapons
•	Cassette tapes
•	Organizers and address books
•	Checkbooks
•	Credit/debit cards
Basically, ANYTHING of value!!

Entry Methods:
•	Break glass/windows/vents
•	Left unlocked
•	Pried window/door
•	Sunroofs
•	Convertible tops
•	Windows left partially open
•	Sliding windows

High Risk Areas:
•	Restaurants
•	Shopping areas/malls
•	Bars/nightclubs
•	Parks
•	Business parking lots
•	Apartment complexes
•	Single family residences
•	Auto parts/dealers/repair shops

Suspicious Behavior:
•	Pulling door handles
•	Looking in windows
•	Bumping doors/windows checking for an alarm
•	Wearing concealing clothing, especially un-seasonal clothing
•	Tools in pockets (screwdrivers, etc.)

Suggestions to Help Deter Vehicle Burglaries

•	Never leave keys in the car
•	Lock your car
•	Park in well lit areas
•	Park in attended lots
•	Leave only the ignition key with the lot attendant
•	Completely close car windows when parking
•	Don't leave valuables in plain view
•	Place valuables in the trunk before arriving at your destination
•	If you have a garage, park your car inside
•	Lock the garage door and the vehicle inside
•	Replace T-shaped car door locks with "slick" locks
•	Engrave expensive accessories with your driver's license number,
	or record serial numbers
•	Use tire/wheel locks
•	Take out removable radios and face plates
•	Avoid parking between two large vehicles, which would hide your 
	car from view
•	Do not approach your vehicle if you see someone inside; 
	call 9-1-1 or security for an escort

For more information please contact the Richardson Police Department 
Crime Prevention Unit at: 972-744-4955