Carencro Police Department Kids Korner

Carencro Police Tips for Securing Your Vehicle

Be Alert
* Lock your car. Take your keys.
* Never hide a spare key on the vehicle.
* Roll up windows completely.
* Remove keys from ignition.
* Park in well-lighted areas.
* When parking in attended lots or parking garages, leave only the ignition key with the attendant.
* Park as close as possible to an open business.
* Do not leave valuables in sight to tempt a thief.
* Always park with the wheels turned toward the curb.
* Back your car into the driveway. If you drive forward into the driveway, a car thief could raise the hood to hot wire the car, and it would appear to the neighbors that you were just working on the car.
* If you have a garage, use it.
* Lock your garage door.
* When going out of town, if possible, remove the distributor cap or the coil wire.
* Never leave your car running while it is unattended.

If your Car is Stolen

Vehicle theft should be reported as soon as possible. However, before the vehicle can be listed as stolen, you must have your vehicle's license number and/or the vehicle identification number (sometimes called VIN).
Stolen vehicles are sometimes used in the commission of other crimes.
Quick action often results in recovery of your vehicle as well as prevention of another crime. If the criminal is apprehended, be willing to file charges.
Testify in court.

Follow Up

If you recover your own vehicle, you must call the the nearest Police station. If you do not, your car will continue to be listed as stolen.

Identifying Your Car

Etch Vehicle Identification Numbers on window glass trim.
Engrave expensive accessories such as T-tops, radios, etc. with car's Vehicle Identification Number.
Drop a business card into the door frame.
If possible, retain copies of all vehicle paperwork at home in a safe place.
It is not good practice to keep the original certificate of title in the vehicle. If the car is stolen, this title can be altered easily and/or your signature can be forged.

When Selling and Buying A Car

Be cautious of the low priced bargain car.
Beware of fast sell pressures.
Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if it has been altered.
Be suspicious of fresh paint on a car.
Verify that the inspection sticker and the license tag are current and are from the same state.
Do not accept duplicate car keys.
Complete all paper work at the time of the sale.
If you are selling a car, never allow a person to test drive the vehicle alone.
Ask to see an interested buyer's drivers license, and write down the name, address, driver's license number, etc.
Make certain the driver's door contains a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Label. This label is often called a mylar sticker, and it contains the Vehicle Identification Number. Presence of the label is required by law