5 Things: How to Avoid a Car Break-In

The Morris County Prosecutor’s office has announced a sharp increase in car break-ins recently. The crimes are what they’ve termed “opportunistic,” meaning that perpetrators look for unlocked cars in a particular area and find ones that are unlocked.

To avoid becoming a victim, here are five tips to keep your car safe.

1. Always lock your car and roll up the windows. It makes the car more difficult to enter, and burglars may be less likely to make a break-in obvious by breaking a window.
2. Keep valuables hidden. If you are going somewhere that you won’t take your purse, put it in the trunk before you leave home and do the same with electronics. Don’t leave anything visible that a burglar would want.
3. Keep the car clean. Suction cup mounts for GPS units or other electronics can leave smudges on the windshield, even if you’ve removed the mount. This will tip burglars off to electronics in the car. Also remove friction mounts.
4. Don’t leave anything with identifying numbers in the car. If a burglar gets your checkbook, driver’s license or social security card, he or she can steal your identity.
5. Don’t label your home or work address in your GPS. Criminals could then get to your home or office and wreak even more havoc.