Car Safety

[Dean & GladysBeaty]

Vehicle Crime Prevention & Safety Tips

One vehicle is stolen every 20 seconds.

* Keep your car in good running condition.
* Make sure there's enough gas to get where you're going.
* Always carry a cell phone.
* Check inside around and under the car before getting in.
* Drive with your car doors locked and your windows up.
* If you need some fresh air windows should only be down about 2 inches.
* Always roll up the windows and lock car doors when you leave your car.
* Never leave your car running.
* Avoid parking in isolated areas. Be especially alert in parking garages. Try to park in well lit areas close to walkways, stores, and people.
* If you think someone is following you, don't head home. Drive to the nearest police or fire station, gas station, or other open business to get help.
* If you are bumped by another car, look to make sure there are other cars around. If you feel uneasy, signal the car to follow you and drive to the nearest police station or busy well-lit area.
* If you get out of your car take your keys,(with pepper spray attached) & your purse or wallet.
* Do everything you can to keep a stranger from getting into your car or forcing you to get into their car.
* If a car jacker threatens you: give up your car rather than your life!



Keep your Pepper Spray Key Chain readily available.

[Dean & GladysBeaty]

Secrets of Car Thieves

Taken from an article written by Michael Cherbonneau
Over one million vehicles are stolen in the United States each year.
Who is the typical car thief? Your car is probably safe in the daylight morning hours, say, between 8:00 am and noon, because most car thieves are still in bed asleep.
Auto theft is safe and dependable. If they mug someone or break into a home, they don't know how much they'll get or how the victim will react. When they steal a car, they can pick exactly the vehicle they want and not have to deal with the victim.
Some thieves steal cars to sell to chop shops. A chop shop strips a stolen car and sells the parts or changes the vehicle identification number and sells the entire car.
How much are stolen cars worth? Thieves want to make money fast while avoiding detection, so they are willing to let cars go for "street prices." Newer cars generally fetch more than older ones. Thieves also get more for cars with high-end audio systems and flashy aftermarket wheels that can be easily removed and sold. In major port cities, cars usually are stolen for export, and that can increase the thief's profits.
Which cars are most likely to be stolen? The more popular a car is with buyers, the more popular it will be with thieves. Chop shops pay more for popular vehicles because parts removed from common cars are sure to be in demand. Stealing common cars also makes it less likely that the thief will be caught. If a gray Honda Accord or white Dodge Ram is stolen, the thief is relatively safe, because the police can't pull over every one that drives by. Also, some cars are easier to steal than others because of their ignition design. Favorites among thieves include many older General Motors vehicles and most of the new low-to-mid-range Dodge, Chrysler and Pontiac models.
How effective are engine-immobilization security devices? These computerized security systems block the ignition or fuel flow if someone lacking the proper key tries to hot-wire the car. This "smart key" technology is a very effective theft deterrent, but many American cars -- especially low-end and mid-range models -- don't come with factory-installed immobilizers. If I drove a car without engine-immobilization technology, I would consider having an aftermarket system installed. Your auto insurance provider might even offer a discount if you do.
Be aware that thieves who can't beat an engine-immobilization system may try to steal your key. Some female thieves steal car keys from men in bars. Other thieves loiter around gas stations waiting for customers to leave their keys with their cars when they head inside to pay.
What other automotive security devices deter thieves? No security product will make your car 100% theft-proof, but anything that makes it more difficult for the thief is worthwhile. Car thieves are not known for working any harder than necessary…
Alarms. Most thieves claim to be able to disable auto alarms. Even when they can't, alarms are ineffective for vehicles parked on crowded streets -- the sound of a car alarm is so common that people tend to ignore it. Still, if your car is parked in a driveway or in front of a home in a quiet neighborhood, the sound of the alarm might send some would-be thieves running.
The Club. The Club locks onto your steering wheel, making the vehicle impossible to operate. It can be defeated by sawing through the rim of the steering wheel with a hacksaw, but that can be time-consuming, increasing the risk of being caught.
LoJack. LoJack is a small radio transponder hidden in your vehicle to track it when it's stolen. LoJack is of concern to thieves who target luxury cars, but these thieves know that LoJack is effective only when the victim reports the theft quickly. Many thieves simply time their crimes so the loss won't be noticed until after the car has been torn apart and the transponder smashed at the chop shop. For example, thieves target business park parking lots in the afternoon. Car owners are back from lunch and won't notice that their cars are missing until after 5 pm. .
Which is most effective? The Club is probably the most cost-effective deterrent, aside from engine-immobilization devices.
What about car jackings? Are they common? Victimization surveys and auto insurance data indicate that car jacking is a rare event, accounting for roughly 3% of vehicles stolen each year. Car jackings are more likely to occur in urban areas. But never say it won't happen to me and leave yourself open to be that one.

Brought to you by
The Peacemaker

[Dean & GladysBeaty]

Police Warning---You Must Read

Just last weekend on Friday night we parked in a public
parking area. As we drove away I noticed a sticker on the
rear window of the car. When I took it off after I got home,
it was a receipt for gas. Luckily my friend told me not to
stop as it could be someone waiting for me to get out of the
car. Then we received this email yesterday:

'WARNING FROM POLICE

BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE

NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKINGS

Heads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating... You
walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside.
You start the engine and shift into Reverse. When you look
into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space,
you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear
window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump
out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is)
that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of
your car, that is when the car jackers appear out of
nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically
mow you down as they speed off in your car.

And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the
car. So now the carjacker has your car, your home address,
your money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity
are now compromised!

BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.
If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window,
just drive away. Remove the paper later. And be thankful
that you read this. I hope you will forward this to
friends and family, especially to women. A purse contains
all kinds of personal information and identification
documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into
the wrong hands.




Peacemaker Pepper Spray