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Tuesday, March 1, 2005 3:23 PM
Operation “Love your stuff” targets auto theft
The
Austin Police Department Southwest Area Command is announcing a burglary of
vehicle initiative to alert the public about incidents that have been occurring
near the Town Lake Hike and Bike trails.
Operation “Love Your Stuff” concentrates on areas that include
parking lots and streets where individuals park their vehicles and then leave
to use the hike and bike trails. The vehicles are being targeted when individuals
leave their vehicles and then go to the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail and
the Greenbelt.
District Representative officers along with Southwest patrol, Street Response
Unit, Downtown Area Command and Park Police will assist in the initiative
that provides an increased law enforcement presence.
Items being stolen include lap top computers, phones, purses, backpacks, credit
cards and money. The theft of personal identification, bank documents and
credits cards can lead to identity theft.
Officers remind the public to take precautions such as always locking your
vehicle, do not leave valuables in your vehicle, always be aware of your surroundings,
report any suspicious individuals or behavior and contact 3-1-1 to report
a burglary of a vehicle or 9-1-1 if the crime is in progress.
When purchasing a vehicle, check the manufacturer’s list on anti-theft
options, such as interior hood and trunk releases, locking steering columns,
locking gas caps and alarm systems.
You may consider installing a disabler switch or “kill switch”
which will prevent a thief from starting the car or a fuel switch which stops
the fuel supply.
Anti-theft bars or steering wheel locking devices prevent the steering wheel
from bieng turned. They are highly visibile and may act as a deterent from
theft.
Any device can be defeated by a determined thief if he/she is given enough
time to operate undetected.
A good car alarm is also important. The typical car alarm is equipped with
motion sensors, impact sensors and a loud siren or series of tones.
The best alarms activate themselves automatically when you leave the vehicle
and include an automatic kill switch.
The best models also flash the headlights and honk the horn in addition to
sounding a siren.
For more information on this program, please call APD at 512-974-5014.
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