Lock it or lose it

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Fifteen-hundred dollars.

That's the approximate value of items stolen from vehicles in 2007, according to Staff Sgt. Alberto Castillo, operation staff NCO, 48th Security Forces Squadron.

Since the year began, nine vehicles have been broken into and items stolen include CDs, navigation systems and military attire -- that's just to name a few, he said.

"Theft from a motor vehicle is a crime of opportunity," he said. "Never leave property on display in your vehicle; it's simply an invitation to a thief."

Since it's a crime of opportunity, Tech. Sgt. Jason Culley, installation antiterrorism officer, 48th SFS has the following advice for lessening the chance of someone breaking into a vehicle:

· Park in open, well-lit and populated areas near your destination and if possible near to CCTV cameras or home.
· Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places.
· Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.
· Park in your garage , if you have one.
· Don't leave your vehicle on the street, in an alley or in the driveway.
· Turn off your engine, roll up all windows, lock all doors and take your keys with you.
· Don't leave spare keys in you vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places.
· Don't leave your vehicle in an unattended lot for an extended period of time.
· Install an alarm system, steering lock and other security devices and make sure they work.

In case something is stolen, Sergeant Castillo also recommends marking all of the possessions that are left in a vehicle.

Mark them with an ultraviolet pen or etching tool with your house number, initials or post code, he said.

"Ensure they are properly marked and advertise that you have taken this precaution with a sticker in the window," he said. "It's simple but it'll act as a good deterrent."

If the entire car is stolen and someone leaves their license, registration or title in the car, thieves can use them to sell the car once stolen.

"Owners who indiscriminately leave keys, registrations and other identifiable material in their vehicles may return to their residence only to find that they are the victims of a burglary," he said.

If someone does fall victim to theft off base, they may contact their local constabulary and in cases of emergency dial 999. If on base contact security forces and in cases of emergency dial 911.

Hot Spot Checks
In an effort to educate Americans in reducing their chances of becoming victims of a crime, Security Forces along with Suffolk constabularies are conducting hot spot checks in local residential areas; here are their current findings courtesy of the 48th SFS:

Eriswell Drive:
70 vehicles checked
15 with valuables in plain view
21 pink cards on display

West/Beck Row:
65 vehicles checked
11 with valuables in plain view
3 pink cards on display

Red Lodge:
80 vehicles checked
2 with valuables in plain view
4 pink cards on display

West/Beck Row:
50 vehicles
15 with valuables in plain view
10 pink cards on display