In Los Angeles, car break-ins occur hundreds of times every day. Learning how to avoid car break-ins will not only save you money, stress and lots of disruption. Moreover, the high density of the city makes all parked vehicles in LA the potential targets of thieves. Additionally, parking lots and street parking have their own set of serious and grave risks. Thus, this guide includes all the practical tips which really work in Los Angeles. Security guards in parking lots about how to prevent car break ins are also essential in the protection of vehicles on a large scale.
Why Los Angeles Has One of the Highest Car Break-In Rates
LA has always been one of the leading cities in vehicle break-ins in America. In addition, a greater number of cars are parked in uncovered areas during a longer duration of time within the city. Besides, crowded tourist spots and entertainment neighborhoods provide the experienced thieves with a continuous chance. Break-ins in LA are thus seldom spontaneous, thieves scan the areas and observe the patterns. Thus, knowing the reasons why LA is so susceptible will guide you to better choices when it comes to parking every day.
What Thieves Look for in Parked Cars
Visible Valuables Left Inside the Vehicle
Thieves scan windows prior to impact and make choices within less than thirty seconds. In addition, bags, laptops, phones, and chargers that are seen through glass initiate instant break-in attempts. Furthermore, a bag with nothing in it might be a good idea to make a thief look. As a result, anything that implies value puts your car at a higher risk of being targeted. Hence, it is under no circumstances to leave anything in your car, which can be seen.
Vehicles Parked in Dark or Isolated Areas
The most preferred car break-ins are in dark and lonely parking spots. In addition, dim lighting gets rid of witnesses and leaves thieves at their own devices to carry out their activities fully. In addition, cars that are not in the same traffic with people also provide the thieves with a relaxed and comfortable work environment.
Street-Parking Tips
Always Park Under or Near Working Street Lights
One of the most effective preventive measures against vehicle break-ins in the nature is active street lighting. In addition, thieves never want to be in places that are well lit since they are more likely to be caught. Additionally, it is also good to park under a light in case of an incident.
Choose Busy Streets Over Quiet Side Streets
The break-in probability is reduced significantly by the natural surveillance that is created by high foot traffic. Moreover, it takes a minimum of thirty seconds before a window can be broken and an interior search can be conducted by thieves. Further, one pedestrian in the window is usually sufficient to cancel the operation. Therefore, the area is much safer when parking on a busy main street than in a side street. So, never overlook the level of pedestrian traffic in your street-parking choice in Los Angeles.
Use a Visible Steering Wheel Lock Every Time You Park
A steering wheel lock informs thieves that it will take you too long to break into the car. Moreover, it introduces some physical obstacle to any further effort to drive the vehicle. Furthermore, robbers do not target vehicles that take longer or more special equipment to crack. As a result, an apparent steering wheel lock is usually sufficient to steer a thief to an easier victim. Thus, use one always irrespective of the length of your parking time.
Never Leave Your Car Running and Unattended Anywhere
A parked vehicle that is left unattended is an invitation to opportunistic car thieves. Also, drive-throughs and coffee shops are the same locations where thieves keep a constant eye on unattended running cars. Also, the California law does not allow you to park your car and leave it running when it is unattended in the open areas. This means that even a car that is running and takes two minutes to vanish before you come out.
Parking Lot Tips
Choose Parking Lots with Active Security Guard Presence
One of the safest parking lots would be a parking lot with a visible security guard. Moreover, professional guards do patrols on a regular basis that render continued criminal activities very hard. Furthermore, their presence prevents break-ins, vandalism, trespassing, and theft of catalytic converters at the same time. As a result, the cars in secured parking areas are attacked at much lower percentages compared to unsecured options. Thus, when possible, spend a little extra to park in a professionally guarded lot.
Park Near the Lot Entrance or Visible Security Cameras
Parking spots close to exit points are the ones that get the greatest quantity of foot and vehicular traffic within any lot. Moreover, the camera coverage is nearly always more intensive in places of entry than in remote areas. Besides, thieves will not be in places where they are sure that there are cameras and people who will see them. This means that you find the unfavorable parking most times being the one that secures your car effectively. Consequently, it is always advisable to take the most prominent point instead of the nearest point to your destination.
Verify That Parking Lot Cameras Are Actually Active
There are numerous parking lots that have camera housings, but no cameras are actually running in them. Moreover, a vigilantly patrolled camera is much more of a deterrent than an empty housing unit. As such, seek live surveillance signage and prefer lots that assure operational surveillance.
Choose Attended Multi-Story Car Parks Over Open Surface Lots
Car parks with multi-storeys are attended and have entry and exit control at all times. Moreover, the attendants establish responsibility on all vehicles going in and out of the facility. In addition, the closed building also restricts access points and escape paths among thieves significantly. As a result, attended structured parking is the safest choice that can be offered throughout Los Angeles nowadays. As such, it is always advisable to use attended structures whenever the latter is available as opposed to open streets.
Technology and Accessories That Help Prevent Car Break-Ins
Install a Visible Dashboard Camera with Parking Mode
A dashcam has the parking mode, which captures any movement or any form of tampering in your absence. Moreover, the conspicuous camera housing is a deterrent in itself to thieves who are aware of being caught on camera. In addition, the footage of parking mode has assisted LAPD to detect and convict habitual break-in suspects. As a result, one of the most valuable single investments of any LA driver is a dashcam.
Place a Blinking Security Indicator Light on Your Dashboard
A red flashing LED will act as a warning to thieves that your car is equipped with an active alarm. In addition, a majority of opportunistic thieves bypass your vehicle and proceed to attack an unguarded one. In addition, these indicator lights are extremely cheap and can be installed within five minutes. As a result, the calculation of the risk is altered by even a simulated signal in most opportunistic break-in attempts. Thus, wear one as an additional lock with your actual alarm and steering wheel lock.
What to Do If Your Car Is Broken Into in Los Angeles
Report It to LAPD Immediately Even If Nothing Was Stolen
A police report will provide a formal account that will corroborate your insurance claim. Moreover, LAPD relies on break-in reports to determine hotspots and patrol more frequently. In addition, your report can also implicate a group of events towards a single suspect in the area. Therefore, not writing the report since nothing was stolen is detrimental to you and your community. Consequently, in any case, report within the next 24 hours by using LAPD non-emergency online portal.
Document Everything with Photos Before You Touch Anything
Photo evidence enhances your insurance claim and helps any subsequent police inquiry. Furthermore, a record of photos that are time stamped fully secures you against dispute with your insurance provider. As a result, the most significant step to take after an incident is to resist the temptation of cleaning up right after.
FAQs
Do security guarded parking lots make it safer to leave vehicles?
Yes, a lot that is professionally guarded has by far fewer break-ins than surface lots without guard, or any parking on the street. Security guards also do active patrols which ensure that they interfere with the criminal activity before the time of a break-in attempt is ever finished.
Will it really help to leave nothing in my car to avoid break-ins?
Yes, an obviously vacant car interior is one of the best passive deterrents there is. The thieves are quick decision-makers who will always pass cars which display no evidence that there is anything that is worth taking.
Am I to report a break-in when nothing was stolen in my car?
Yes, never forget to report any car break-in to LAPD either when nothing was stolen. Your report will be included in crime mapping data to assist law enforcement to spot and arrest repeat offenders.
Conclusion
Your best single protective choice on a daily basis is always your parking spot. In addition, car parks that are guarded by professionals provide the best protection of cars within the city. Thus, implement all the tips in this guide and your risk will decrease considerably and instantaneously. West Coast Guard is a licensed Los Angeles security company offering professional parking lot security guards. Finally car break-in prevention is reduced to visibility and selection of the appropriate parking environment.
