Vehicle Security Checklist

Tips to prevent vehicle-related theft:

  1. Lock your vehicle to reduce opportunity of theft. Lock doors while driving and upon exiting the vehicle.
  2. Do not leave keys in your vehicle.
  3. Do not leave valuables in vehicles. This includes items such as purses, laptops, iPods, sunglasses, and loose change. Remove face plates of after-market stereos.  If you must transport valuables, place them in the trunk prior to reaching your destination.
  4. Do not leave garage door opener in plain view; treat it as a key to your property.
  5. Pay attention to unusual behavior in your neighborhood. Call 911 to report suspicious persons or activity. Since a majority of these crimes are occurring at night, be especially alert to noises such as breaking glass.
  6. Close windows when vehicle is parked and avoid having windows wide open when driving.
  7. Always park in well-lit areas.
  8. Utilize secure parking. A majority of vehicle-related thefts occur to vehicles parked on the street.
  9. Use visible deterrents such as the steering wheel bar, also called the “Club,” to make a vehicle difficult to steal. If you have an alarm system in your vehicle, use it.
  10. Do not leave vehicles running unattended. Minneapolis police may issue citations to unattended parked vehicles left running on the street or in the alley.

For questions, contact:
Don Greeley, Crime Prevention Specialist, Minneapolis Police Department, 3rd Precinct, (612) 673-3482 donald.greeley@minneapolismn.gov
John Baumann, Crime Prevention Specialist, Midtown Safety Center, 2949 Chicago Ave. S., (612) 825-6138 john.baumann@minneapolismn.gov

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