Tips to prevent vehicle-related theft:
- Lock your vehicle to reduce opportunity of theft. Lock doors while driving and upon exiting the vehicle.
- Do not leave keys in your vehicle.
- 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.
- Do not leave garage door opener in plain view; treat it as a key to your property.
- 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.
- Close windows when vehicle is parked and avoid having windows wide open when driving.
- Always park in well-lit areas.
- Utilize secure parking. A majority of vehicle-related thefts occur to vehicles parked on the street.
- 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.
- 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