As Crime Prevention Month concludes, the Prince William County Police Department is urging residents to continue practicing simple steps to prevent larcenies from vehicles throughout the year.
The department highlights that personal property such as firearms, purses, wallets, money and credit cards, work identification cards and badges, as well as phones, tablets and laptops are frequently reported stolen from vehicles. Most of these thefts occur when vehicles are left unlocked in driveways, open garages, and residential parking lots or streets.
To address this issue, the police recommend several best practices:
Lock all entrances to garages and close overhead garage doors at night or when not in use for extended periods. Open or unlocked garage doors can provide quick access for thieves to vehicles and other valuables such as bicycles and lawn equipment.
Always lock vehicles, even if they are parked inside a garage.
Ensure all vehicles parked in driveways, parking lots or on the street overnight are locked. Thieves may also use garage-door openers found in unlocked cars to gain entry into homes.
Do not leave valuables like firearms, purses, wallets, keys, electronics, cash and credit cards, or identification documents in cars parked overnight. Bring these items inside your home.
Secure items left in or on work vehicles since they are also frequent targets for theft.
If garaging your vehicle is not possible, consider installing a motion sensor light near where your vehicle is parked.
Report any suspicious activity immediately.
The department encourages residents to follow the TLC approach: “Take Out Valuables. Lock Your Vehicle, Garage, and Home. Call the Police to Report Suspicious or Illegal Activity.”
