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Never leave your keys in
the ignition, not even at home or in a parking lot. It's an open
invitation to theft.
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"Hiding" spare keys under
the carpeting or over a sun visor is about as clever as leaving a house
key under a doormat. Thieves know all the obvious places to look.
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Do not leave luggage,
packages, or other easily removed items in view inside your automobile.
Lock your property in the trunk. Doctors should always conceal their
bags while away from their vehicles.
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Automobile thieves frequent
streets and parking areas in the vicinities of public gatherings. Do not
take needless risks by leaving valuables in your car when it is not
necessary to be transporting them.
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Avoid transferring items to
the trunk of a vehicle at a location where it is to be parked. A thief
may be watching. Checkbooks, credit cards, or other credentials which a
thief could misuse should not be left in a car.
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At night park in a lighted
area, preferably close to a corner where a potential thief may realize
that he is more likely to be observed.
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Thefts of automobile
accessories have increased greatly since the introduction of bucket
seats, car stereos, and special wheels. These items, as well a special
hubcaps and other parts, should be marked as an aid to identification.
Thousands of dollars worth of automobile parts are sold at auction every
year by police departments around the country because the rightful
owners could not be located.
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If your car is broken into
or stolen, inform the police of the loss immediately. Stolen vehicle
frequently are used in the commission of other crimes.
YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY AS A CAR OWNER...
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Notify the Department of
Motor Vehicle Registration whenever you move so the address on your
registration can be changed. In case your vehicle is stolen, unnecessary
delay can be avoided in locating you after it is recovered.
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When buying a motor vehicle
from anyone except a licensed dealer, obtain the license and vehicle
identification numbers so they can be checked before you part with any
money.
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If you are selling your car
privately and a prospective buyer wants to test it, go with him.
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Do not accept a check in
payment from a stranger.
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Never carry the Certificate
of Ownership (pink slip) in your car. Do not sign it unless and until
you actually intend to transfer ownership.
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The SELLER of any
registered motor vehicle is required to notify the Department of Motor
Vehicle Registration after the interest is transferred. Failure to do so
is a violation and may cause inconvenience and unnecessary expense if
the buyer does not re-register the vehicle.
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When a vehicle has been
loaned to an acquaintance or relative and the borrower is late in
returning it, the police cannot take a stolen report because you
voluntarily allowed it to leave your control.
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The police do not have
jurisdiction in cases where someone is delinquent in making payments for
a car he purchased from you. Collection of payments or repossession of
the vehicle is a civil matter only.
REMEMBER...
ALWAYS LOCK ALL CAR DOORS.
Don't help them to help themselves... Some professional thieves can
open a locked car, remove what they want, and get away in 30 seconds.
Fortunately, most of them are not so skilled and must rely on the
carelessness of their victims. Do not offer opportunities for criminals
and thrill-seeking youths to help themselves because you are negligent.
Almost half of all cars
stolen had the key in the ignition...most were not locked.
NEVER LEAVE THE KEY IN THE
IGNITION.
Remove the ignition key, secure all glass vents, doors, and windows when
it is necessary to leave an unattended vehicle.
Copy your license number and
vehicle identification number on an item which you always carry in your
billfold or purse. In case your vehicle is stolen, the loss can be
reported at once to the Police at 911.
FAILURE TO
REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY...
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Is an invitation to theft.
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Could become a contributing
cause to some innocent person's injury or death.
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Can raise your insurance
rates.
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