League City Police Department Online

Auto Theft Deterrent

Securing Your Vehicle

Lock your car

Take your keys

Never hide a spare key on a vehicle

Park in well lit areas

Park in attended lots or parking garages

Park as close to an open business as possible

Do not leave valuables in sight to tempt a thief

Always park with wheels turned toward the curb

If you have a garage, use it

Lock your garage door

Lock the car while inside the garage

When going out of town, remove the distributor cap or coil wire

Never leave your car running while unattended

Precautions When Selling and Buying a Car

Be cautious of the low priced bargain car

Beware of fast sale pressures

Check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to see if it has been altered

Be suspicious of fresh paint on a car

Verify that the inspection sticker and license tag are current and belong on that vehicle

Do not accept duplicate car keys

Complete all paperwork at the tie of sale

If you are selling a car, never allow the person to test drive the car alone

Ask to see an interested buyer’s license - write down the name, address, license number, etc.

Make sure that the driver door contains the Federal Motor Vehicle Standard Label. The sticker is required to be present by law

Can You Identify Your stolen Car ?

Etch VIN on window glass and trim (most newer cars already have the VIN etched into the window)

Engrave expensive accessories such as T-tops, stereos, etc. with the VIN

Drop a business card into the door frame

If possible, retain copies of all vehicle paperwork at home in a safe place

Do not keep original title to the vehicle in the car

Anti-Theft Devices

They stop the amateur and slow down the professional.

Anti-theft devices are not foolproof, but they can stop the amateur and slow down the professional. The longer it takes to steal a car, the more attention a thief attracts, and the more likely that the thief will look elsewhere.

Kill Switch: The car will not start unless a hidden switch is activated. The switch prevents electrical current from reaching the coil or carburetor.

Alarm Systems: These systems contain a device that will activate a siren, lights, or a horn if the car is tampered with. Consider a back up power source for the alarm, as professionals could deactivate the alarm if they can get to the power source.

Fuel Switch: This device stops the fuel supply.

Armored Collar: This equipment consists of a shield that locks around the steering wheel column and covers the ignition, the starter rods, and the steering wheel interlock rod.

Locking Gas Cap

Keyless entry system

Steering Wheel Club

Anti-Theft devices a few dollars to several hundred dollars. Many of these devices are now standard or optional equipment offered by auto manufacturers.

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