Car Prowls And Break-Ins And Seattle Police Prevention Tips

Car prowls are more frequent with the warmer weather and the Laurelhurst Blog has received reports of many.
 
On June 4th, there were reportedly several in the area between NE 45th Street and Sandpoint Way. Included was one car parked near St. Stephens Church which was
prowled twice in two weeks.  Nothing of value was left in the car, and only change was stolen.

Several weeks later cars parked in the 4000 block of NE 38th and also in the 3800 block NE 41st were prowled. One neighbor, whose car was broken into suggested to never leave anything of value in your, and especially not leaving anything in plain sight. He said that a neighbor left a few dollars in change in the car that was visible and that was all it took to break into the car. 

Another car break-in was reported in the 3900 block of 47th Avenue NE and it was reported that the thieves rolled down the windows and opened the sunroof.  And in the 4800 block of NE 43rd Street, several car prowls were reported, one where windshield wipers were removed from a car, another where a car break-in was attempted, but the male ran off when a garage door opened. 

Other car prowls have been reported in the 3700 block of NE 42nd Street where two cars had broken windows, and another car was prowled on NE Surber Drive and 41st Avenue NE, and also at 42nd Avenue near Children's Hospital
The Seattle Police say that car prowls are crimes of opportunity that happen within seconds. Thieves are targeting all types of vehicles looking for recently purchased gifts, GPS devices, cell phones, purses, cash, laptops, cameras, luggage, and garage remotes.

 

SPD recommends that if your car is broken into, file a report by calling the non-emergency number at 206-625-5011, or file one online.  When filing a report on-line or over the phone you don't need to remain at the scene.  When calling the non-emergency line, state that are reporting a crime and, if it meets the criteria, the call-taker will forward the call to an officer who will take the report over the phone and provide a case number. If the crime is still in progress or it is an emergency situation, call 9-1-1 immediately

 

SPD offer these tips to protect your car from thieves and vandals:

• Lock your car and take your keys.
• Never hide a second set of keys in your car.
• Park off-street if possible.
• Park in well lighted areas.
• Completely close all car windows when parked.
• Don’t leave valuables in plain view and better, don’t leave anything in car.
• Remove all valuables from your vehicle every time you park. 
• Don't leave cords and charging devices in plain view, a prowler may see these and take the chance that you have a valuable electric inside and enter your car.
• If valuables must be left behind, hide them out of sight or place them in the trunk before parking at your destination.
• Disable internal trunk released per your owner’s manual instructions.
• Remote controls for garages should never be left inside parked vehicles.  Take the remote with you if possible.
• Some thieves will break in just for some loose change or a pack of cigarettes.
• If you must leave something of value in your car, put it in the trunk well before you park.  Some thieves watch for people putting items into the trunk and then break into the trunk.
• Do not cover your iPad with a sweatshirt or jacket and leave it on the front seat. 
• Do not leave backpacks, shopping bags, computer bags or anything that might contain a valuable item in plain sight.  Thieves will break your window just to see if it is worth taking.