Recently someone broke into my car. When it happened I couldn’t believe it. It actually took me by surprise because I live in a secured complex and park in a garage where I felt both my car and I were very safe and secure. Unfortunately, someone (or several people) figured out how to break through that secure area despite the complex’s best efforts.
In that moment they took something from each of us that was more valuable than the material items left in our vehicles. They shook our sense of safety and security. When it happens, you feel violated and vulnerable. It is a disturbing sensation that stays with you.
I later learned that others were also violated by the same thieves. It appears they decided to break in to a few cars that weekend. Some vehicle owners made it easy. They left the car doors unlocked. GPS systems, cell phones, laptops, and CDs were all taken from the various vehicles –costing money to replace articles, loss of memories, and taking time to file police reports.
I was one of the more fortunate ones in the bunch. My one consolation in this incident was that my car was devoid of those costly items most of my neighbors had lost. The thieves resorted to stealing my gum and the $20 I had in my ash tray for emergencies because that was all I had in my car. My crime prevention training served me well. However, it was a reminder for me and others that crime doesn’t sleep so we should never relax our guard.
I hope this blog will also serve as a reminder to each of you. For tips on how to make your car unappealing to thieves, visit our website and print the handy poster, palm card, or flyer about protecting your vehicle.
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