Lake Ridge, Va. — Don’t be surprised if you find a note from the police department on your windshield.
Police in eastern Prince William are canvassing the area helping motorists make sure their vehicles are less enticing to thieves.
Last week in Lake Ridge, brochures were distributed to several cars letting residents know the importance of locking their cars and keeping valuable items out of plain sight.
Those who live in apartments or single family homes are at high risk of auto theft, and so are drivers who park at shopping centers, restaurants and auto repair shops, according to the brochure from Prince William police.
“Officers go into previously targeted neighborhoods and check for unsecured vehicles. If your vehicle is found to be unsecured, the officer secures it and leaves information on how to deter crime. If the vehicle is secured, the brochure “you made it harder on a thief’ is left,” said Prince William police spokesman Jonathan Perok.
In addition to the officer’s last name and badge number, if the car is found to be an easy target the officer checks off tips on what drivers can do to better protect their vehicle like closing open windows, removing keys from the ignition and parking in attended lots.
Police say thieves often enter cars through side and rear doors.
The crime prevention effort has been ongoing since earlier this year
Suggestions to help deter thieves
- Take keys out
- Lock your car
- Remove valuables from plain view
- Park in attended lots
- Close car windows when parking
- Use your garage
- Local garage door and vehicle inside
- Install car alarm
- Engrave expensive accessories with identifiable number
- Take out removable radios and face plates
- Don’t park between large vehicles (large vehicles can provide cover for thieves)
-Prince William police
