Yuma News Now

Yuma, Arizona - In today's tough economy, owners of cars, trucks, motorcycles and heavy equipment need to do everything possible to protect their vehicles from today's clever, professional thieves- particularly during the summer months when vehicle theft rates are at their highest and when many families are on the road enjoying summer vacations.

LoJack and NICB are offering the following resources as part of this education initiative:

New Audio Podcast: In LoJack and NICB's latest educational podcast (http://bit.ly/4raiEx), a victim of vehicle theft details how his 2000 Honda Civic was stolen, taken to Mexico and later recovered. Vehicle theft experts from LoJack and NICB also discuss who is behind vehicle theft, where it most commonly takes place, and what you can do to prevent vehicle theft from happening to you.

New Twitter Page: LoJack and NICB's Vehicle Theft Protection Twitter page - http://twitter.com/TheftProtection - is designed to help drivers better understand how to protect their cars, trucks and motorcycles from theft. The Twitter page will be updated throughout the month of July with daily theft prevention tips, statistics, links to news articles and resources, and more.

Downloadable Booklet: "Get in the Know" - http://bit.ly/kZt94 - is an educational booklet co-produced by LoJack and NICB that details the steps owners can take to protect their vehicles from theft.

The Yuma Police Department is actively combating auto theft. Our department currently has two auto theft detectives, an active Bait Vehicle Program, participates in the Watch Your Car Program and other auto theft prevention events throughout the year.

The Yuma Police Department reminds our citizens to do their part in combating this crime and consider the following auto theft prevention tips when leaving their vehicle unattended:

• Lock your doors and roll up windows
• Park in a well lit area-preferably an area watched by surveillance cameras
• Never leave your keys in your vehicle
• When at home keep your vehicle in your garage
• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, especially where they are visible

While these tips may ward off the amateurs, it will not deter the professionals. A layered approach will need to be considered. Such as, using steering wheel locks, brake locks or wheel locks. Alarms, window etching, theft deterrent decals will also make a thief reconsider taking your vehicle.   If they still insist on taking your vehicle a kill switch, ignition disabler and fuel cut-off devices will hopefully prevent them from getting away in your car.

These are only a few of the many ideas you can use to protect your vehicle. But our citizens need to remember, that prevention starts with them and what habits they keep regarding their vehicle.

To learn more about vehicle theft protection, visit LoJack's Knowledge Center at www.lojack.com/knowledge or NICB's website at www.nicb.org and click on "Theft & Fraud Awareness." For more information regarding auto theft prevention and the programs offered by the Yuma Police Department please contact us at (928) 373-4700 or visit our website at www.yumaaz.gov