The police of the Northeast District have noticed a recent increase in automobiles being stolen in Northeast Baltimore.  Here are some tips that might prevent your car from being stolen.  Please note that as the weather becomes chillier it is illegal to start your car and leave it unattended to warm it up when you leave your home.

HOW TO PREVENT STOLEN AUTOS


  • Always lock your car

  • Do not leave your keys in your car

  • Do not leave your car running and unattended
    • Leaving your car running and unattended is actually illegal and you can potentially receive a traffic ticket for doing it
    • If you report your car as stolen to the Baltimore City Police and you left it unattended and running, you will more than likely receive a moving citation.

  • Use a steering wheel locking device such as the “Club”

  • Consider having a “kill switch” installed
    • This is a switch that is placed somewhere in the interior of the car that when in the off position does not permit your car to be started by turning of the key or the forcing of the ignition switch

  • WATCH YOUR CAR
    • WATCH YOUR CAR is a national vehicle theft prevention program funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice. It is a voluntary vehicle registration program designed to deter auto theft and assist in the apprehension of auto thieves. Vehicle owners sign an agreement stating their vehicle is not normally used between the hours of 1:00am and 5:00am. If a police officer observes the vehicle being driven anywhere in the United States during these hours, they may stop the vehicle and verify the vehicle owner is operating it, or a person designated by the owner.
    • The Watch Your Car Program is administered by the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council and is provided as a public service, free of charge, to owners of vehicles registered in the State of Maryland.
    • To register your vehicle(s) in WATCH YOUR CAR set your internet browser to: http://www.mdautotheft.org/wyc/wycapplication.cfm and complete the online application