DON`T BE A VICTIM :HERE`S HOW

 There is a serious threat of car burglaries. Some people view getting their wallet stolen as an inconvenience.  Unfortunately, there is more at stake than the hassle of waiting in line for a new driver’s license.   Burglary of belongings that contain personal information can lead to identity theft, which can have long-term repercussions.  Thieves who steal other people's identity often try to make purchases, obtain cable or utility services, forge checks, obtain wire transfers, open bank accounts and apply for credit, loans, or government benefits.  Victims of identity theft often have difficulty clearing their credit records and must invest a significant amount of time and energy to do so.  Imagine finding your dream home and being turned down for a mortgage loan because a burglar ruined your credit.  A damaged credit history can also increase the difficulty of finding a new job or renting an apartment, as employers and landlords often review credit records for new applicants. The more extensive the identity theft, the more difficult it will be to repair the damage.   In almost every single instance of a car burglary in our city, the victim left items of obvious value clearly visible in the passenger compartment of the car. 

 In more than half of the cases, the car was left unlocked with valuables in plain sight.

 Items most commonly stolen are: purses, wallets, cell phones, cash and laptops.  While a majority of these crimes are happening in busy parking lots in broad daylight, residential areas are also being targeted overnight.  Vehicle burglary is almost completely avoidable when a few simple steps are taken toward prevention.  We believe we can significantly reduce the number of vehicle burglaries if we get the message out and if simple precautions are taken.  The City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) has been working for more than a year to raise awareness of this problem.  The FLPD has placed portable message board signs at strategic locations all along Federal Highway asking that everyone secure their valuables.  They have distributed thousands of prevention flyers to mall shoppers and have left leaflets on car windshields in parking lots.  They have written “Beat Watches” alerting residents when they see valuable items left in plain view.  They have also spoken at countless homeowners meetings and have drafted letters and articles for your neighborhood newsletters.   Unfortunately, this largely preventable crime is still occurring at an alarming rate.  We urge you to ask your residents and association members to make a conscious effort to lock all car doors and place valuables out of sight.  If you cannot take your belongings with you, place them in the trunk.  This applies even if you are only out of the car for a minute, such as running into daycare to pick up your child or pumping gas.  You can become a victim when you least expect it.   Together we can reduce the number of incidents of car burglary and identity theft if we all take a minute to protect our valuables. 

DON`T BE A VICTIM :HERE`S HOW

1)      Keep your vehicle doors locked.

2)      If you must leave anything of value in your vehicle, do not leave it in plain sight.. 

3)      Keep your garage door closed if you are not working in it. 

4)      Motion sensor lights around your home and on your dock can be a deterrent..

5)      Consider a silent boat lift alarm that goes off in your house if someone turns on your lift.  A sensor like Lo-Jack would be a good idea for valuable boats, too.  The cost may be less than your deductible.

6)      By their nature, yard sales attract people from out of the area and may bring the criminal element right to your front door.  Community sales are more secure.  If you are a LICIA member try our new free classified ad instead.

7)      If you will not be home to bring your trash cans in from the street, be sure to ask a neighbor or friend to bring them up close to the house.

8)      Ask for a stop for your newspaper delivery so the papers won't pile up on your lawn as an invitation to an � for burglars.

9)      Spend an hour writing down the model and serial number of the valuables in your home.  Even etching your initials on them allows the police to retrieve the items back from pawn shops.  Keep the list in a safe place other than on your computer which may be easily stolen.

10)  If you see any suspicious activity, whether on the canal or on the street, please call the police at (954) 828-5700 for non-emergencies or 911 if you feel it is an emergency.   You can remain anonymous if you prefer.

To see the latest statistics on crime in our neighborhood go to:
Lauderdale Isle Crime Stats