The Garden City Police Department reports an increase in the number of thefts from parked, unoccupied vehicles in the Garden City area, as well as in nearby areas in Nassau County. These thefts have occurred mostly in residential areas and in most cases the targeted vehicles were left unlocked. During many of these thefts, popular electronic items such as IPODs, GPS Devices, handbags lap top computers, and money were taken. In some cases though, the thief is just looking for loose change. Garden City Police Commissioner Cipullo would like to offer some tips to vehicle owners that may prove beneficial in protecting their valuables from being stolen:

-Keep the vehicle locked, secured and alarmed set if so equipped. Thieves just go around checking vehicles to see if they are locked. When they find an unlocked vehicle, they will enter it to see if there is something to steal. This is the preferable way of most thieves because they don’t have to break into a vehicle which lowers their probability of being detected.

-Keep valuables out of sight. Thieves are like shoppers. They look into vehicle after vehicle until they see something they like.

-Safeguarding your electronic items from public view does not necessarily mean that the thief will not suspect that you may have an electronic item in your vehicle. Thieves look into parked vehicles to see if there is a window or other interior bracket designed to hold an electronic device. Some police investigations have revealed that many GPS units were stolen from vehicles because the thief observed suction cup marks on the interior of the vehicle’s windshield.

-Keep loose change out of sight. Thieves are just looking for a quick way to get money. Leaving loose change, wallets or handbags in your vehicle easily entice a thief to enter your vehicle.

-At night, park your vehicle in well lit areas. In addition, driveway lights are useful in deterring residential vehicle theft.

If you hear a suspicious noise or see suspicious persons/activity, during the middle of the night, call the police. When practical, try to obtain a good description of subjects and or suspect vehicles including license plate numbers.

Commissioner Cipullo adds “Thefts from parked unoccupied vehicles are more often than not just crimes of opportunity. When people take precautions to reduce that opportunity, they most likely reduce the probability of a theft from their vehicle.”