sevierville police dept. offers tips of prevention

The Sevierville Police Department investigates many car break-ins each year. Often these crimes of opportunity could have been prevented by sound security practices. Besides the loss of their personal property, victims also have to contend with costly damages to their vehicle. Vehicle break-ins can also lead to home burglaries.

The flowing information has been compiled by SPD Officer Matt Ayers, a member of the department's Community Oriented Police division, to help reduce your risk.

How Does Complacency Affect Crime?

The three elements needed to commit a crime are desire, ability, and opportunity. Complacency creates opportunity and ability. By removing a thief's opportunity or ability, you prevent the crime.

What Steps Can I Take To Prevent Becoming a Victim?

Remove visible items from your vehicle. 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.

Lock up! Lock your vehicle and take your keys, even for quick errands. Lock the trunk, hatchback, or tailgate to block access into the car. Close all windows, vents, and sunroofs.

Park safely. At home, park in your garage if you have one. Lock your car and all garage doors. When you park outside, park in a well-lighted area. Check to see that your vehicle is visible from pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Install an alarm and use it! Many people believe that alarms no longer make a difference, however they do remain an effective deterrent to a burglar. 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.

Install lighting controls. Install motion sensors or photocell lights on the exterior of your garage if you park in your driveway or on the street. Motion sensors will trigger the light to come on when it senses activity in the immediate area. Photocell lights automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn.

Remove stereo faceplates. Stereo systems are a popular item for thieves. If possible, remove your faceplate and carry it with you. Keep a record of your audio component serial numbers so that these may be reported to police if stolen.

Employers often have policies that prevent employees from bringing their purses or bags into the workplace. If so, discuss the matter with your employer and request an area be dedicated for personal property storage.

After parking, take a moment to look around your car and assess your surroundings for vulnerabilities.

What Items Are Most Commonly Stolen from Vehicles?

Purses, wallets, briefcases, packages, mail, medications, computers,
cell phones, CD players, gym bags, cash, jewelry, and vehicle parts.

How Can a Vehicle Break-in Lead to a Home Burglary?

If a garage door opener or a house key is inside the vehicle, a thief can then gain easy access to your home. He only needs to locate your address, which is found on your registration or loose mail. Some guidelines to prevent home burglaries after a vehicle break in:

• Do not leave outgoing or incoming mail in your car.
• Avoid leaving your garage door opener in your car or lock it up inside the glove box.
• Keep the vehicle registration and other important documents locked inside the glove box.
• Never leave your house keys in your car.
• When shopping, store packages and bags inside your trunk. Thieves often target mall parking lots.