The Town of Groton Police Department is urging residents to lock their vehicle doors every single night to help prevent vehicle break-ins.
The vast majority of the vehicles that have been broken into in recent months had their doors unlocked, making them easy targets for thieves.
When parking your vehicle:
– Take your keys. Don’t leave them in your vehicle.
– Close all windows and lock all doors.
– Never leave valuables in your vehicle, and if you do, make sure they are out of sight.
– Never leave credit cards/debit cards, cash or your wallet or purse inside of your vehicle overnight.
– Park in well-lit areas or preferably inside a garage, if possible. Install lights with motion sensors near where you park your vehicle.
– Get in the routine of double-checking that your vehicle is locked and secure each night around 9 p.m. This is known as the “9 p.m. Routine.” “
Finally, if you have security cameras, you can significantly focus on vehicle break-in prevention by strategically placing them around your driveway and parking areas. Position cameras to ensure they can clearly capture license plates and the surrounding area, and make it obvious to potential thieves that your vehicle is under surveillance, to deter them from attempting a break-in.
