Car Theft

Car Theft

Fresno recognizes that it is prone to car theft, being the second highest rated city in car thievery. Below, visitors can find practical suggestions for protecting their vehicle from theft.

When exiting the car to pick up mail, turn off the car engine and lock the car doors. When paying for gas or pumping it, turn off the car engine and lock the car doors. Wherever you go where you must leave your car unattended, turn off the car engine and lock the car doors. Thieves have been known to slip into cars in a matter of seconds when the victim’s back is turned.

Keep valuables out of sight. Do not leave any items on the dashboard, in the front seat, or the backseat. Do not leave open the car’s glove compartment or any other compartment to tempt the thieves. It would be best if all valuables were not left in the car at all. This includes the check book, credit cards, cellphones, bills, GPS Devices, etc. It would be good to keep the car registration and insurance with you in your wallet rather than in the car (it would be easy for criminals to dispose of said information if left in the car).

Park your car in a well-lit area as close to the establishment that you’re residing in as possible. It is good to park the car in a group of other cars. However, if parked in a group, be more cautious as you return to your car because thieves can hide behind neighboring cars.

Please also consider these tips on how to lock your car. We suggest your car have an auto-lock to ensure all the car doors and the trunk are properly secured. When you are done driving the car for the day, we advise you to use as many locks as possible. Use a steering wheel lock and armored collar around the wheel to secure your ignition wires and steering wheel. Other locks to consider are the hood lock, gearshift locks, floorboard locks, and tire locks (for each wheel, and also carry a spare). Also, make sure to remove the rotor, ignition fuse, and coil wire to completely disable your vehicle and discourage thieves. Also, set your car alarm. Double lock your car with the key lock before you depart from the car. If there is a garage or parking structure available, we strongly advise you use these facilities. However, it is also recommended to still use the shared lock precautions stated above.

A local Fresno resident has used the above method and has expressed the safety of his car for the past 10 years. The resident refused to provide a sample photo of his locked car so not to draw attention to his vehicle. Upon request, we can provide an example of what a locked car looks like.

With the success rate of this locking method slowly on the rise, the motorcycle and bicycle thefts have increased. Therefore, visitors can use the following tips to protect these modes of transportation.

Motorcyclists, please use the dual lock system: a fork lock and wheel lock. Bicyclists, it would be best to bring the bicycle inside your home. Do not leave it unattended in the backyard unless it is securely locked to a pole or gate. Use the double U-lock method: one lock around the frame of the bike and the gate or pole, and the other U-lock around the frame and the bike’s front wheel. Cable locks work, but these can easily be cut through. U-locks, with the right tools, can be cut through as well, but history has shown that once one U-lock is cut through, the thief is too exhausted to cut through the second lock. Tarps are available for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles to camouflage your vehicles into their surroundings.

Whether you are a car driver, motorcyclist, or bicyclist, if asked to give a ride by a stranger, it is in your best interest that you politely decline. Please avoid the following pleas: “it’s just around the corner,” “my spouse will meet us halfway,” “I have gas money,” etc. Also avoid the stranger if he/she has more than one person with them. Picking up strangers have led to unfavorable consequences for the owner of the vehicle, most ending in their mode of transportation being stolen.

In the case that your car is stolen, it is best to make the precaution of registering your car and equipping the vehicle with a tracking device beforehand. Please call the police right away. They are always on hand to ensure your vehicle is safely returned.