Crime Prevention
Burglary - Auto
It takes
30 SECONDS
for a thief to break into your
car and steal your valuables!		 It takes
20 SECONDS
to put your valuables
into your trunk, out of sight!

Here are some basics tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim of auto burglary. Remember, this is professional advice only. These tips are in NO way a guarantee that you will never become a victim. This is merely advice to help you protect yourself!

  • Keep your registration and insurance card in your wallet or purse, not in your car.
  • Never place hidden keys in the car.
  • Never leave your car unattended with the engine running , even if only “for a moment.”
  • Don’t leave anything on display (even when you park in your driveway). That includes a jacket on the back seat, loose change in the ashtray, a check book in the glove box, or mail with your address on it under the seat.
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  • If you leave items visible in your car, you are a target.
  • Be aware that someone may be watching as you put a wallet, purse, or cell phone under your seat. Take these with you.
  • Keep your garage door remote out of plain view, and if stolen, change the remote control frequency.
  • If you have a pullout stereo, take it with you. If you have a detachable faceplate stereo, take the faceplate with you.
  • Do not leave money in your ashtray.
  • Lock even if you are making a quick stop at the gas station or convenience store.
  • Lock the trunk, hatchback or tailgate.
  • Close all windows, including vent or wing windows and sunroofs.
  • Buy an alarm and use it! Criminals will choose the easiest target. If they have two cars to choose from-one with an alarm and one without–they will burglarize the one without.
  • Lock all valuables in your trunk or take them with you.
  • At home, park in your garage if you have one. Lock your car and all garage doors.
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    What Items Are Most Commonly Stolen from Vehicles?

    • Cash and change
    • CD’s and CD cases
    • Electronic games and equipment
    • Stereos and faceplates
    • Keys
    • Cell phones and Chargers
    • Wallets, purses, gym bags, & backpacks
    • Tools
    • Garage door openers
    • Mail
    • Jewelry
    • Gifts and bags
  • Park in your driveway.
  • If your car is stored in a carport or parked near your house, leave your exterior lights on throughout the night.
  • Consider replacing the light fixture closest to your car with a motion detector unit. Motion detectors are a good psychological deterrents since the normal assumption of a person seeing a light come on is that someone has seen them. Additionally the light makes the prowler more visible.
  • If you must park in the street, choose a well-lit, open space even if it means adding additional lighting & trimming back trees/bushes that block your view of your vehicle.
  • When away, park in a lot where you don’t have to leave your keys.
  • Never attach a tag with your name and address to your key ring. If the keys are lost or stolen, the tag will lead the thief directly to your car and your home. If you must leave your keys with a parking attendant, leave only the ignition key.
  • At night park in well-lit areas with lots of people around.
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    If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request,do not send electronic mail to this entity.
    Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

    Copyright © 2006 Walton County Sheriff's Office. All rights reserved.
    This information is made available to the public and law enforcement in the interest of public safety.
    Any unauthorized use of this information is forbidden and subject to criminal prosecution.