From the Mesa Police Dept: _____________ Mesa residents can take extra precautions to secure their vehicles through a "layered approach" to protection. The more layers on your vehicle, the tougher it is to steal. Layer #1 -- Common Sense * Lock your car & always take the keys with you * Park in well-lit areas * Never leave your vehicle running and unattended * Do not leave valuables in plain view - lock merchandise in the trunk. If you do not have a trunk, keep packages covered and out of sight. * Do not hide a spare set of keys in the car - the pros know where to look * If you have a garage, use it Layer #2 -- Visible & Audible Warning Devices The second layer of protection is any device that can be SEEN or HEARD and alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Some popular examples include: * Audible alarms, steering wheel locks, brake locks * The AATA’s FREE Watch Your Car Program * Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching on vehicle windows – visit the AATA’s website ( Layer #3 -- Immobilizing Devices This third layer of protection is a device which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some popular devices include: * Kill switches * Starter, ignition and fuel disablers * Smart keys * High security locks & keys * Fuse cut-offs Layer #4 -- Tracking Devices The final layer of protection is a tracking device, which emits a signal to a police or monitoring station when the vehicle is reported stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles.