The Brown Deer Police Department will use this blog to provide residents with current crime information and trends, crime prevention tips, as well as pertinent news, legal updates, and notes as it relates to your community and Police Department.
Many communities suffer thefts from autos. Victims of these crimes suffer not only personal loss of items that were contained within the vehicle but oftentimes there is significant damage to the automobile itself. Since thefts from autos are generally committed for the purpose of obtaining something of value, by making your vehicle appear to be less fruitful, or more difficult to attack, a criminal generally will move on to another “easier” opportunity. The process of making your property less desirable to a criminal is called “target hardening”. Owners of vehicles should consider the following target hardening tips when parking their vehicles on public lots, private lots or drives, and even in underground community parking garages. • Lock your car doors and close your windows. • Don’t leave valuables in your car. If you do, make sure they are kept out of plain sight – when possible hide items in the trunk before you get to the location you intend to park. • Don’t leave your GPS system, purses, or other items of value on your front seat or dash even when you are operating the vehicle. Stepping out of your vehicle, even briefly, could result in these items being taken by a thief who quickly enters the passenger door of your car. • If you have a garage, use it. Many thefts from vehicles occur during the night while parked right in front of your own home. • Don’t leave a garage door opener on the dashboard or front seat of you vehicle. Place it in your glove box, hide it, or take it with you. Breaking into your auto will provide a thief with access to your garage if the vehicle is parked in front of your home at the time of attack. • Always park in a well lighted area. • Use slide mounts for portable and/or add-on devices you have installed in your vehicle. Place them in the trunk or take them with you once you remove them. • Make sure electronic access buttons in the interior of your car that can provide access to your trunk are locked out or unusable with your key out of the ignition. • Mark items for identification purposes with permanent markings. Typically engravings are best for this. • GPS systems, bags, brief cases, sunglasses, clothing, bags, gym bags are all tempting to a thief. • Do not leave identification items such as your driver’s license, vehicle registration, mail, etc, in your vehicle. Should you become a victim of a theft from your auto, or any crime, contact the local police department where the crime takes place immediately.
