Jun 13, 2012 | News
According to a piece written on CityRating.com, crime rate is on the rise for Louisville Metro residents. Compared to the 2009 data, violent crimes and property crimes have increased compared to Kentucky, its neighbour city. The report states that the city’s violent crime rate for Louisville Metro in 2009 reached an average of 39.03%. The same goes for the city’s property crime incidents, as it has increased and was higher than the national property crime rate average at 41.64%. Creating crime awareness in Louisville For the pursuit of lowering crime rates and spreading awareness, the Louisville Metro Police Department has launched a new online crime mapping tool. Residents can have regular crime trend updates by entering their address. Through this, the residents will get a chance to be on the loop, and they can add extra caution to their daily routine whenever there is a crime trend in their location. Property crime can happen anywhere Whether there is a crime trend or not, opportunistic thieves will strike in the most unlikely places. Property crime can happen anywhere, and this is proven to be true when a Kuttawa resident had her 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck stolen right in front of her home. This just shows how important it is to be vigilant about your personal safety, or be it with your material possessions. If you can, you should always employ a layer of protection for your cars. Lock them safely. Hide your keys in a safe place. Take your valuables out of your cars whenever you leave them parked in parking lot. Help spread awareness in your city With this knowledge...Jun 12, 2012 | News
Personal car owners are not the only ones that need to be vigilant about their car security. Just recently, a Lisle car dealership became the victim of a car theft when suspects drove off with their 2012 Chevrolet Express Van. As reported on LemontPatch via a Lisle Police Department news release, there were three individuals that posed as prospective buyers and they drove off further to Lemont. With the car GPS in place the car was quickly found, however the three suspects is still waiting to be found. Car theft trends in Illinois According to the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, Illinois ranks 7th in the states that experienced a huge reduction of motor vehicle offenses from 1990 – 2009. Even though the incidents has declined 64% compared in the past years, car theft incidents can happen anywhere, and anytime a window of opportunity passes between the car owner and a thief. Car safety Incidents likes this reminds us how vulnerable we all are when it comes to our security. There is no location in this world that can guarantee us that we are 100% safe, nor can we account that our cars will be looked out for whenever we leave it in popular shopping malls. Keep your car safe by employing basic safety techniques. There are three words that you should remember with your car’s safety; Hide. Lock. Take. Hide Lock Take Don’t leave your keys in your car’s ignition, and hide it in a safe place in your bag. Lock your doors and windows when you park them in parking areas. Take out your things that will otherwise incite a...Jun 8, 2012 | News
Sometimes assuming facts can really cost you a hefty insurance bill. The majority of car owners believe that since car thieves are probably very skilled in unlocking complicated security contraptions, that it is not necessary to have a layered protection in their cars. However that is not the case, because according to the Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Team, only 35% of car theft is a result of professional handiwork or insurance fraud. Stay on guard Did you know that when the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council conducted a study on the effectiveness of anti theft devices, only 5% of the 800 car subjects were protected with security measures? The resulting numbers has shown how lax we can be on our cars, when they are pretty expensive to begin with. Crime prevention begins at home The first key to preventing auto theft is to beat preconceptions about the real state of car safety and mechanics. It’s important to instil a vigilant stance, and it should start in the comforts of your home. People are more wary of leaving their cars in public places, such as mall parking lots, but are you aware that most cars are stolen right in front of a person’s house? According to the Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Team, only 4% of cars are stolen in malls and shopping areas. Protect your cars with basic safety tips Employing protection for your car is better than leaving it up for grabs to opportunistic thieves. Make sure that you keep an eye out on your car’s vulnerable spots. Close and lock your windows. Never leave the keys in the...Jun 5, 2012 | News
Buying a car is a serious decision, even if you’re just going to purchase a used car in a dealership. There are intricate things to consider and a wealth of details to sift through before you should hand over your cash to the checkout counter. A prime example of a cautionary tale is this recent article posted by the Springfield News-Sun, where a double VIN has prompted the local officials to conduct further investigation on the origin of the cars in their stable. The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Vehicle Theft Unit made a pit stop at Mershon’s World of Cars and seized two cars that had questionable documents. The owner, Dan Mershon vehemently denied any allegations that tied him to illegal activities, but the local officials remains resilient in conducting further investigations. Do you have a trustworthy car dealership? How do you go about in buying a car? Do you have a list of websites, or do you visit the local shops that you’ve found near your home? Before you go out on an expensive buying spree, it is very important that you conduct an overview of the store’s dealing history. If it is a used car, make sure that you know how to look over old documents, and that you bring a trusted mechanic to ensure a good purchase. Shady car dealerships and vehicle thefts Did you know that in every 25 seconds, one vehicle is being stolen in the United States? Most of the time, stolen cars are chopped into bits and pieces that are then resold through the retail market. Stop the vicious circle You can stop...Jun 4, 2012 | News
When the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released their annual Hot Wheels Report in 2010, they have concluded that the most popular choice for car thefts were cars manufactured by Honda. Certain cars are targeted because of lax security measures, while some are eyed because of their part’s market value. To have a better look at the type of cars that are commonly stolen in Oregon, NICB released a list in 2010: 1. 1992 Honda Accord 2. 1998 Honda Civic 3. 1990 Toyota Camry 4. 1995 Acura Integra 5. 1996 Subaru Legacy 6. 1989 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) 7. 2003 Toyota Corolla 8. 1994 Ford F150 Series/Pickup 9. 2001 Dodge Ram 10. 1994 Nissan Sentra Auto theft can be an expensive nuisance Being a victim of an auto theft crime is not just a major inconvenience in terms of stolen property, but the resulting expense and insurance repercussions can create a major dent in your allotted budget. In a piece written by KTVZ.com, Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president was quoted that “Consumers pay billions each year for auto theft,” he said. “The cost to replace stolen vehicles and repair those that are recovered is reflected in your insurance rates. That makes auto theft an important issue for every vehicle owner.” Safeguard yourself from auto theft Keep in mind that thieves will most likely target cars that are easier to break, so make sure that you give your car a chance by employing a strict security regiment. Having a presence of mind will make you less vulnerable, so try and remember the basic precautions. Keep important items off your unattended cars....May 29, 2012 | News
Back in 2009, auto theft has made quite an impact in the city of Redmond, WA. Due to its location and accessibility, the city has suffered numerous issues, and most especially vehicular thefts. With the help of local enforcements, they had made strides with their car theft prevention program. Washington auto theft statistics The Washington State Patrol shares an insight on the current car theft trend in the state of Washington: In Washington State . . . A car is stolen every 13 minutes. 106 cars are stolen every day. More vehicles have been stolen this year than any other year. Your car has a one in 179 chance of being stolen. Many stolen vehicles are used for other crimes. One out of five stolen cars are started with a key that was left in the car. Increase crime awareness Crime awareness is something that is almost always laid to the side, especially when it’s not something that is a current concern in our lives. But alas, crime incidents strikes when we least expect, which is why it is imperative that we are aware of the basic precaution when it comes to our safety. Help spread awareness in your city With this knowledge in hand, you can help keep your city safe by placing the copyright and trademark protected signs and designs on your property or in your area. You can also make custom sign donations to your local police department and they will disperse them to businesses and in parks and recreation areas. Hide Lock Take started as a proactive crime awareness program in Dallas. It has since become the...May 28, 2012 | News
According to NeighborhoodScout.com, with a population of 19,378,102, there is a 1 in 51 chance that a New York resident can be a victim of a property crime. This is even more apparent when just recently; law enforcement officers had dismantled an international crime ring that was responsible for the theft of high end automobiles in New Jersey and New York. At this moment, they have arrested 11 of the 19 suspects who were believed to have been shipping and selling stolen cars over their market values. Car Safety 101 It might seem hard to believe, but keeping your car safe can be as simple as using your common sense. One of the first things to remember about car crime prevention is to take out the keys from your ignition. Most of the time, cars that are left unattended are the ones targeted by car thieves. It’s important to keep a presence of mind when you’re about to leave it in a parking space, or your garage. Close your car windows or any space that might make it easier for burglars to steal your car. Give Thieves a Hard Time You’ve paid a lot for your car, which is why it is important that you take the time to create a list of precautions to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of an auto theft. Extend some of your car protection tips to your family, or whoever would be taking turns in using it. Help spread awareness in your city With this knowledge in hand, you can help keep your city safe by placing the copyright and trademark protected signs...May 26, 2012 | News
Hide your things, lock your cars and take your keys. These three important reminders seemed to be all but lost to a bulk of California residents as it apparently has the highest rate of auto theft in 2010. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a Chicago-based industry trade group, there were eight cities that were primarily located in California that was found on their list. If you’re living in California, and especially in places that topped the list such as Fresno (they had 8.1 vehicle thefts per 1,000 residents in 2010), you must be wondering if there are ways to help keep your car safe from any future car theft attempts. Don’t fret, from following a few simple tips and tricks, you can be rest assured of your car’s safety, and maybe you can even help promote crime awareness in your local city. Lock your cars The California Attorney General’s Office points out that most cars are stolen by amateurs, and by taking the necessary precaution you can increase your car’s protection. The first thing that you should remember is to keep your cars locked. Always make sure that every inch of your car is locked whenever you leave it unattended. Make sure that your car’s windows and trunks are locked as well. Hide your things It is important that before you leave, look around your car seats and check if there are any valuables that might incite a thief’s interest. Remove your cell phones, laptops and bags before you leave. Take your keys Never leave your car keys lying around, and especially in its ignition. Don’t write...