On average, 6,500 vehicles are burglarized each year in Jacksonville. In more than half of these auto burglary incidents, the vehicle showed no signs of forced entry or was unlocked.
Take the steps to protect your property and lower the crime rate by following simple preventative measures.
The following information comes from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Guide to Preventing Auto Burglaries.
To download JSO Education Brochure
AUTO BURGLARIES ARE PREVENTABLE
Most thefts from motor vehicles are preventable. There are just a few things you need to do to prevent them.
- TAKE OUT VALUABLES: If you can leave your valuables at home, do so. Otherwise, when you get to your destination, take valuables with you. If you have to leave them in your vehicle place them in your trunk prior to reaching your destination.
- LOCK YOU VEHICLE: Verify that your vehicle is securely locked before leaving the area. Keyless or remote locking systems can malfunction from a low battery, etc. leaving your vehicle unlocked.
- CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS AND SUN/MOON ROOF: Windows and sun/moon roof allows a thief a quick and quiet way to enter your vehicle. Even a crack in the window makes the thief's job so much easier. Verify that your vehicle's windows are rolled up and the sun/moon roof is closed before leaving the vehicle.
LOCATION
It is important to take care when you park your vehicle. Thieves are looking for vehicles they can enter with the least possibility of someone watching and thereby alerting authorities. Ideally, the best place to park is you locked garage. Otherwise, here are other important factors to consider:
- Do park in well-lit areas
- Do park where your vehicle is visible to others
- Do verify that your vehicles' windows are rolled up and the doors are locked before leaving the vehicle
- Join Sheriff's Watch to partner with JSO to address crime in your area of town. Learn more at jaxsheriff.org
- Don't leave a firearm in your car. If you have to leave a firearm in the vehicle please make sure it is properly secured
- Don't park where others cannot see your vehicle, such as behind buildings, shrubbery, landscaping berms or larger vehicles/trucks
- Don't park in all-day unattended parking areas
- Don't trust your vehicle remote to lock your doors
- Don't park in a parking lot and then transfer valuable items to your trunk, where a thief might observe
COMMONLY STOLEN ITEMS
- Firearms
- Prescription drugs
- Garage door openers
- Cameras
- Cell phones
- Laptops
- Radios
- Luggage
- Wallets
- Breifcases
- Jewelry
- Sport equipment
- Cash
- Checkbooks
- Credit cards
MORE TIPS
- Mark valuables with your Driver License Number
- Record your VIN and serial numbers
- If you have to give your car key out - give the valet key only. Do not have a key ring with your name on it
- Have your license tag numer handy
To get more tips on crime prevention visit Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Community Education Brochures and Videos page.
