Auto Theft Prevention

Tips to Keep Your Car Safe from Theft

Keeping your care safe from theft means making your care difficult to take – faster a car thief can steal it, the more attractive it is. Many times, auto theft happens in commercial areas or places where people visit, but this crime can happen anywhere – in a shopping mall or an office lot, an HOA parking lot or your own driveway.

Georgia separates auto theft into several criminal offenses, nonviolent and violent, from general theft to specific vehicle-related thefts like carjacking, joyriding. Operating a chop shop also falls under the auto theft umbrella.

We’ve compiled theft prevention tips and carjacking safety tips in this post. At the end of the article, you can find information about Georgia’s auto theft laws and penalties.

Garage Door Opener: Avoid leaving your garage door opening in plain view.
Handicap Placard: Some car owners use accessibility license plates, while others use a placard that you hang from the rear view window. Remove your handicap placard from your vehicle when not in use, or keep it stored out of sight.
Lock Your Vehicle: Your unlocked car is a gift to burglars. Always lock your car while driving and when you leave it (as well as the tailgate and trunk) and take your keys with you. Close your windows and sunroofs – even the smallest openings is a way in for professional thieves.
Mail: Leaving mail in your car makes you vulnerable to identity theft; thieves an also figure out your name and address, creating a home security risk, especially if you leave spare house keys or other car keys in your car.
Remove Valuables: When you leave your car take your cell phone, backpack and bags with you. Put change and charging cables away. Lock gifts and valuables in your trunk or take them with you. It’s safer to stowe items in your trunk before you park, especially when making several stops.
Turn Your Car Off: Don’t leave your car running even if it’s for a short amount time. Even with the doors locked, a thief only needs to break a window to get in a drive away.
Vehicle Registration: Some enforcement agencies advise not to keep your vehicle registration in the car, but to keep it in your wallet or purse. Keep the vehicle title in a safe place in your home – never keep this document in your car.
Vehicle Alarms: Newer vehicles are manufactured with anti-theft technology already installed. Activate it when you leave it. If you drive an older car, install an alarm or other device that actives a siren, horn or lights and use it. Alarms are an effective deterrent to thieves who are looking for an easy target.
Other Anti-Theft Devices: Other security options include: locking steering columns; interior hood and trunk releases; second ignition switch or “kill switch” that prevents electrical current from reaching the coil distributor; a fuel switch to prevent fuel from reaching the carburetor (and use a locking gas cap).

Parking Safety Tips

Don’t park your car in unattended public parking lots for extended periods of time. Vehicles are more likely to be stolen from an unattended lot than from the street or attended lot.
If possible, try not to park your car in a lot where you have to leave your keys.
If you leave keys with a parking attendant, leave only the ignition key. Keep other keys with you.
Keep your car parked in your garage if you have one. If you park on a street at home, park under a street light.
Turn vehicle wheels away from the curb when parking. With the wheels in this position, it is more difficult for thieves to tow your car.
When you’re out, park in a well-lit, busy areas.

Secure your car and make it a difficult target and you’ll avoid the inconvenience and expense of becoming a victim of auto theft.

Keyless vehicle theft is on the rise. Click to learn more about keyless theft methods and tips to prevent your vehicle from being stolen.

CARJACKING SAFETY

Carjacking, or stealing a car by force, is a violent form of auto theft. Statistically becoming a carjacking victim is low, but staying aware of your surroundings can reduce the risk even more.

If confronted by a carjacker, it doesn’t pay to resist. Your car can be replaced, but you can’t. Whether the carjacker has a weapon or not, your life is more valuable than the car.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

1. Although everyone wants to avoid traffic, drive on busy streets, especially after dark.
2. Carry your garage door opener in your purse or briefcase.
3. Keep your car and house keys on different key rings.
4. Park in well-lit, busy areas.
5. Stay aware and observant of your surroundings and of anyone approaching your vehicle.
6. When stopped in traffic, leave enough room in front of your car in case you need to make an emergency getaway.

BE CAREFUL IN THESE AREAS

1. ATM machines and bank parking lots
2. Gas stations
3. Highway crossings or anyplace else that cars slow down or stop.*
4. Parking lots or parking garages.
5. Residential driveways and streets especially when getting in and out of your car.
6. Traffic signals or stop sign-controlled intersections.

* “Bump and rob” schemes – carjackers bump into your car from the rear and steal your car when you get out to assess the damage.

Your General Information about Georgia’s Auto Theft LawsHOA and Proactive Security Measures in Place.

Georgia’s penalties for auto theft are based upon the value of the stolen property and the circumstances of the theft or crime. Auto thefts are organized under Georgia’s “theft by taking” statute. This distinguishes nonviolent auto theft and violent auto theft, which often happen during a carjacking or other criminal activities. Below is a list of Georgia’s auto theft codes:

Georgia Code Section 16-5-44.1 – Hijacking a motor vehicle
Georgia Code Section 16-7-21 – Joyriding/criminal trespass
Georgia Code Section 16-8-2 – General theft by taking statue
Georgia Code Section 16-8-7 – Theft by receiving stolen property
Georgia Code Section 16-8-18 – Entering a motor vehicle with the intent to commit a robbery or felony
Georgia Code Section 16-8-83 – Owning or operating chop shops
Georgia Code Section 16-8-84 – Allowing the seizure of chop shop equipment and tools

Auto Theft Sentences and Penalties

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the crime and the value of the automobile involved, judges can hand down a range of penalties, fines and sentences. This also depends on whether the crime was a nonviolent or violent auto thefts.

A violent theft such as hijacking a motor vehicle is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
A nonviolent theft such as joyriding/criminal trespass is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.
The general crime of theft by taking or receiving stolen property is a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the vehicle.

Value Component

Vehicle is valued under $500: misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.
Vehicle value is between $5000 and $24,999: felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
Vehicle value is $25,000 or higher: felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
The crime of entering a vehicle with the intent to commit a theft or felony is itself a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Owning or operating chop shops is a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.

Rapid International Offers Community Solutions

Safety, Community, Together. Rapid International provides security services, including staffed areas and patrol services, prioritizing neighborhood-based security in collaboration with your community. Rapid’s management has extensive experience in the security industry and in each city, we build partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency service agencies. Together with community members, we work to make people and communities safe and secure.

Please get in touch to learn about our community-level security program – we believe the strength of collaboration and partnership make neighborhoods safer for everyone. In Georgia, call: (706) 844-2586, in California call: (213) 364-1394 or email us at info@therapidway.com.

Where there’s property, there’s theft.
Ursula K. Le Guin

IG: rapidgroup.ga | Linked In: Rapid International Group, Inc.

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