South Park Neighborhood Association

Make Your Car Tough to Steal

Protect Your Vehicle

To make your vehicle a tough target, the Arizona Auto Theft Authority (AATA)and National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recommend a "layered approach" to protection. The more layers of protection on your vehicle, the tougher it is to steal.

Layers of Protection

Layer 1: Common Sense
Lock your car - half of all vehicles stolen are left unlocked. Take your keys - nearly 20% of all vehicles stolen have the keys in them. Park in well lighted areas. Car thefts occur at night more than half the time. Park in attended lots - car thieves do not like witnesses. Don't leave your car running, even for a minute. Convenience stores, gar stations and ATMs are common hunting grounds for thieves. Completely close your car windows. Do not leave valuables in view. Do not hide a set of keys in the car. Do not leave your title in the vehicle. Park with your wheels turned toward the curb. Always use your emergency brake when parking. If you have a garage, use it, and when you do, lock both the vehicle and the garage door.

Layer 2: Visible and Audible Deterrents
These items alert thieves that your car is protected: audible alarms, steering wheel locks, steering column collars, tire locks, VIN number etched on window, protective window laminate, and theft deterrent decals such as the AATA's Watch Your Car program.

Layer 3: Vehicle Immobilizers
These items prevent thieves from bypassing the ignition and hot-wiring your vehicle: smart keys, fuse cut-offs, kill switches, and starter, ignition and fuel disablers.

Layer 4: Tracking System
This is a high-tech device designed to be hidden in your vehicle in order to emit a signal the police can monitor and track if you report a theft.

Free Watch Your Car Program

The Watch Your Car Program is a free, voluntary program which operates between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM daily. Participants enroll in the program and then receive decals which are placed on the front and rear windows of the vehicle. If a police officer witnesses the vehicle in operation during program hours, they have the authority to stop the vehicle and verify that the rightful owner is driving. To enroll, call 1-888-668-4433 or (602) 364-2886 for information or visit the AATA website below.

Links

Arizona Automobile Theft Authority