According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thieves steal a motor vehicle every 44 seconds. The NHTSA reports that about 40% of these auto thefts involve driver mistakes like leaving a key in the ignition or not locking their vehicle. According to the same study, 42% of stolen vehicles are never recovered.
The insurance company Progressive also conducted a study about vehicle theft . According to their research, there is a 15% increase in auto thefts during July and August, and cars were most likely to be stolen on a weekend. Their study also found the states with the lowest stolen car recovery rates were Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Alabama, and Mississippi. These staggering numbers can be daunting for both car owners and property managers across North America. So, what measures can you take to prevent this from happening?
For car owners, vigilance is key. Be sure to park in well-lit areas and when possible, park in a parking garage. The next step should be obvious, but it may surprise you how often it’s forgotten. Turn off your vehicle and take the keys with you. Sometimes drivers leave their cars, motorcycles, or other types of vehicles running if they are quickly dropping off or picking up something. This gives thieves an easy opportunity to steal a vehicle. Another important factor to keep in mind is to not leave valuables in the car. Thieves may not want your vehicle, but they may want what is inside.
Now that we have looked at ways for car owners to prevent vehicle theft, what can property managers do? Be proactive. Work with a live video surveillance service who can watch your property in real time. Trained operators can look for any suspicious activity and act before thieves have an opportunity to strike. If a commercial property or a multifamily apartment complex is known for vehicle thefts, it can not only hurt their reputation, it can put employee, guest and resident safety at risk.
One Stealth Monitoring client benefitted from our live video monitoring solution. Thieves attempted to steal from a fleet of delivery trucks at a flex space property. Click the video to see more.
Vehicle theft is a year-round problem, but it is significantly worse in the summer months. Car owners and property managers must be vigilant to help prevent this criminal activity. To learn more about our video monitoring service and how it can help deter theft, contact us.
