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YOU CAN HELP PREVENT CAR THEFT!

Though professional car thieves have entered the field in increasing numbers, most cars are still taken by amateurs who can be stopped fairly easily. You can greatly increase your protection against this type of crime by taking the following sensible precautions;

LOCK UP

* An unlocked car is an open invitation to a car thief.

* Lock-up whenever you leave your care, and take your keys with you.

* Close all windows. Professional thieves have tools that help unlock cars through a minimum of open space.

* When you park the care, remove the CB, tape deck or other valuable possessions from the care. Do not leave gift-wrapped packages or cameras lying on the seat of your car. Lock all valuables in your trunk or take them with you. If possible, also remove the CB/phone antenna and store it in the trunk.

PARK CAREFULLY

* Avoid leaving an auto unattended in public parking lots for an extended patrol of time. A car is five times more likely to be stolen from an unattended lot than from the street or an attended lot.

* If possible, park your car in a lot where you don't have to leave your keys.

* Never attach a tag with your name and address to your key ring. If the keys are lost or stolen, the tag will lead the thief directly to your car and your home. If you have to leave your keys with a parking attendant, leave only the ignition key or valet key.

* At night, park in well-lighted areas with pedestrian traffic.

* Whenever possible, turn the wheels sharply towards the curb when parking, making it extra difficult for thieves to tow your car. Lock the steering wheel also.

* Be sure vent or wind-wing windows are tightly shut. These are a favorite means of entry for car thieves.

OPERATION I.D.

* With an electric engraver, etch your driver's license number preceded by the abbreviation of the state the license was issued on CB's, tape decks, and other removable items.

* Record your vehicle license plate number, identification number (located on a small metal plate on the dashboard of newer cars) and store it in a safe place. This information is very important for the police department in case your car is stolen.

USE "ANTI-THEFT" DEVICES

* When buying a car, check the manufacturer's list of anti-theft options, such as interior hood and trunk releases, locking steering columns and locking gas caps.

Consider the purchase and installation of security devices, such as the following:

• Interior hood lock and release.

• A second ignition switch or "kill switch" which prevents electrical current from reaching the distributor coil.

• A fuel switch which prevents fuel from reaching the carburetor or fuel injection.

• A locking gas cap.

• Locking devices for batteries, wheels, radios, etc.

• An alarm device which will activate a siren, horn, lights-- or all three-- to frighten the thief away before he or she is able to steal your car.

• A steering wheel lock. Several companies make highly visible anti-theft devices which make steering impossible once attached.

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE BUYING A VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM

1. WHAT IS AN ANTI-THEFT VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEM?
   A vehicle alarm system is either a mechanical or electronic device designed to deter the theft of a vehicle. It consists of a sounding device, a means of turning the alarm system on and off, and a method of causing the alarm to sound when someone is tampering with the vehicle.
    

2. WHICH VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEM IS BEST, AND WHY?
   An all-purpose system within the financial reach of most drivers would be one that provides alarm systems on all doors, the hood and the trunk. Also included would be a motion detector which activates the alarm if an attempt is made to jack-up or tow the vehicle. The alarm system should also have the capability of disabling the vehicle's ignition system so the vehicle could not be started without major tampering.
    

3. HOW EFFECTIVE ARE ALARM SYSTEMS IN PREVENTING VEHICLE THEFT?
   Vehicle security systems provide a deterrent to theft. They should never be viewed as a guarantee against theft. A protected vehicle, however, may persuade the professional car thief to move on to an easier target-- an unprotected vehicle. A good alarm system will usually discourage amateur thieves, who account for 80% to 85% of all vehicle thefts in the U.S.
    

4. CAN AN ALARM SYSTEM HURT MY BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM?
   No. Most alarm systems draw on the car battery only when they are sounding, which is usually a short period of time.
    

5. HOW EXPENSIVE ARE ANTI-THEFT DEVICES?
   Retail prices of anti-theft devices range from $5.00 for an ignition cutoff device to approximately $200.00 for a sophisticated electronic system. Professional installation costs range from $40.00 to approximately $200.00, above the price of the alarm.
    

6. CAN I INSTALL AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE MYSELF?
   Yes, if you are mechanically inclined and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully. If you are unsure of your mechanical ability, you should have the system installed professionally.
    

7. CAN I BUY AN ALARM SYSTEM AS AN OPTION ON A NEW VEHICLE?
   Yes. This is not installed at the factory, but added at the dealer level by independent contractors.
    

8. ARE THERE ANY LAWS RESTRICTING THE USE OF AN VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEM?
   Yes. In California it is illegal to duplicate the siren sounds of emergency vehicles to private passenger cars. The State has designed a specific sound for auto alarm systems, a dual tone, high-low oscillating sound. There are no laws restricting the use of auto alarm systems.
    

9. DO ANY OF THE ALARMS HAVE "BEEPER" OPTION?
   Yes. The beeper option is a radio-controlled signal transmitted from the vehicle to a receiver carried by the vehicle owner. Should anyone tamper with the vehicle, the signal is activated and the owner is automatically notified if he is in the radius of the signal range of his device. Be sure to check the signal radius before purchasing a device to insure it will meet your needs. This beeper system can also be coupled with an audible alarm in the car.
    

10. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY VEHICLE AND PREVENT THEFT?
    You should practice common sense at all times for the protection of your vehicle. Never leave the ignition key in the car. Be sure to lock the car completely and roll up the window, even when leaving for a short time. When parking, try to select a well-lighted area. Don't tempt a thief by leaving anything inside the car in plain sight. If your car has an alarm system, place warning decals on front and back windows that state your car is protected.

POPULAR TYPES OF VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEMS

AUDIBLE ALARM SYSTEM:
Alarm is triggered any time doors, hood or trunk is opened.

MOTION DETECTOR:
Any motion (such as jacking up the car, hit and run, attempt to tow a vehicle) sounds the vehicle horn. Can be connected to any other sounding device or alarm system.

CURRENT SENSOR ALARM SYSTEM:
Alarm is triggered by any drain on the battery such as interior lights, attempt to start the vehicle, etc. Alarm also sounds when doors, hood or trunk are opened.

COMPUTERIZED IGNITION IMMOBILIZER:
This system prevents engine from being started. It automatically disables ignition every time the engine is turned off. Ignition is reactivated by punching a 4-digit code on keyboard located inside the vehicle. Over-ride feature provided for valet parking and servicing.

SILENT PAGING SYSTEM:

If a thief tampers with vehicle, a radio-controlled signal is transmitted from the vehicle to a paging unit carried by the owner. Transmission of the signal is dependent upon vehicle antenna and atmospheric conditions. Can also be installed to incorporate an audible alarm in the car.

Other vehicle security devices include a bar lock that "handcuffs" the steering wheel to the brake pedal, hood/trunk locks, hub cap locks, burglar alarm timers, and ignition cut-off devices.

Alarm systems are available at automotive supply stores, automotive sections of major department and discount stores, car dealers and many places that service or sell automotive parts.