Recently, a number of people in our community had their possessions taken from their cars. In one instance, a video caught a criminal trying every door of every car parked on one block.
Be sure that you lock your car when you leave it. If the door can just be opened, someone is going to take what you have in the car. It will happen. It has happened to lost of our neighbors.
In one instance, a person left an extra set of keys in their car, as well as their information. Another one of our neighbors left a copy of their Social Security card in their car.
Do not leave your information in your car, or shopping packages in your parked car. There are people who are breaking into cars and taking the contents.
As the weather gets colder, there are people who warm up their cars and leave them running on the street with the keys inside. This way of warming up the car while you are doing other things is an invitation for someone to steal your car.
Here are some tps from the 112th Precinct on how to protect your car and possessions within:
– Do not leave your car running unattended (this includes at an ATM, a convenience store or outside your apartment or house).
– Make sure when you leave your car that you have your keys with you. Do not leave the keys in your car.
– Lock your car when you leave and put on the alarm, if you have one.
– Do not leave valuables in sight inside your car.
– Do not leave global positioning systems in the car. Do not leave GPS attachments on the dashboard.
– Never hide a second set of keys in the car.
– Park in a well-lighted area. If a street light is out, try not to park by that light. Call 311 to have that light fixed.
– Close the windows of the car when you leave. An open window makes it easier for a thief to gain access.
– Do not leave your registration in the car.
– Take advantage of the precinct’s free VIN etching program for your car. Call the Community Affairs Unit at 1-718-520-9321 for details.
Other news
Rep. Grace Meng will be our guest at the next precinct council meeting, which will take place on Wednesday night, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the 112th Precinct stationhouse, located at the corner of Austin Street and Yellowstone Boulevard.
In March, our precinct council will present a forum on preventing violence against women. The meeting will be held on Wednesday night, Mar. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the stationhouse.
Editor’s note: Heidi Harrison Chain is president of the 112th Precinct Community Council.
