My South Philly Review Crime Beat Column: Protect Your Car From Thieves

The South Philly Review ran my Crime Beat column today.

You can read the column above or the text below:

I recall a friend telling me about the day he left his house early in the morning and walked towards his parked car.

But the car was not there. Somone had stolen it. My friend was furious as he not only lost his car, he also lost the contents of the car, which included a variety of items belonging to him, his wife and his daughter.

He missed a day of work and pay, as he called the police and waited for them to come and take his statement. He never recovered his car.   

“Finding that your vehicle has been stolen can be a stressful event,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Acting Administrator. “Vehicle theft is driven by money and greed, a dangerous business that victimizes everyone, but fortunately, drivers can take precautions to reduce the risk of it happening.”

NHTSA is a U.S. Department of Transportation agency responsible for reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and focuses on road and vehicle safety nationwide. Established under the Highway Safety Act of 1970, it continues ion programs originally managed by the National Highway Safety Bureau.

According to NHTSA, a motor vehicle was stolen every 48 seconds in the United States in 2025. “NHTSA investigates safety defects in motor vehicles, sets and enforces fuel economy standards, helps states and local communities reduce the threat of drunk drivers, promotes the use of safety belts, child safety seats and air bags, investigates odometer fraud, establishes and enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations, conducts research on driver behavior and traffic safety, and provides consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics,” the agency noted.

NHTSA also highlights the potential for motor vehicle theft, preventive measures vehicle owners should take, the importance of addressing the vehicle theft problem, and its significant economic impact.

NHTSA offers tips to help prevent vehicle theft.

·         Park in well-lit areas.

·         Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.

·         Put away your valuables.

·         Do not leave your keys in your vehicle.

·         Do not leave the area while your vehicle is running.

·         Remember to lock your vehicle every time you walk away to prevent vehicle theft.

·         Use common sense when parking and exiting your vehicle:

·         Take your vehicle's key; do not leave it in or on your vehicle.

·         Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.

·         Park in well-lit areas if possible.

·         Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially if they can be seen from outside the vehicle.

“Radios and wheel covers aren't the only popular stolen vehicle parts thieves take. They want whatever sells, from the mandated labeled parts to those that aren't. Some of the most popular items stolen from vehicles include air bags, GPS units, cell phones, iPads, laptops, and purses. Parts like doors, engines and transmissions are stripped and sold,” NHTSA explained.

 

According to NHTSA, there are numerous antitheft systems and devices designed to make vehicles more difficult to steal or easier to trace and recover:

·         Audible and Visible Devices: These devices, such as a horn alarm, deter theft by bringing attention to an unauthorized attempt to steal or enter a vehicle. Visible devices create a visual threat/warning/deterrence, such as the use of steering-wheel locks, as well as theft-deterrent decals, flashing lights, and window etching.

·         Immobilizing-Type Devices: These prevent thieves from bypassing a vehicle’s ignition system and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some incorporate computer chips in ignition keys or disable the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine.

·         Vehicle Recovery Systems: These devices use electronic transmission technology that help law enforcement reveal the location of stolen vehicles—and possibly catch the thief in the act.

If you are a victim of vehicle theft, follow these steps:

·         Contact police immediately to file a stolen-vehicle report. You will need a copy of the police report and/or a case number to provide to your insurance company. You may also be asked to provide the following information:

·         License plate number;

·         Make, model, and color of your vehicle; and

·         Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and any identifying characteristics.

·         Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of your vehicle being stolen.

·         Paul Davis’s Crime Beat column appears here each week. He can be reached via pauldavisoncrime.com.