How To Prevent Vehicle Theft: Fairfield Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield police are advising residents to secure their vehicles to prevent break-ins and avoid being easy targets for thieves this season.

Summer is most popular for vehicle thefts and break-ins, and July is recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. There were 721,885 motor vehicles stolen in 2019 in the U.S., one every 43.8 seconds, according to the administration. Only 56.1 percent of all stolen vehicles were recovered.

Vehicle parts and valuable items left in vehicles are also targets for thieves, according to the administration. Parts that may be targeted include wheel covers, doors, engines, transmissions, airbags and radios, as well as items such as GPS units, cellphones, iPads, laptops and purses.

“As a rule of thumb, residents should lock their car doors every time they exit their vehicle,” Chief Robert Kalamaras said in a department news release. “Residents are also advised to take all valuables with them when they leave their vehicle, as a would-be criminal may still attempt to break in despite doors being locked if a valuable item is left in view.”

The administration and Fairfield police remind vehicle owners to use common sense when parking and exiting a vehicle:

• Take your keys. Don’t leave them in the vehicle.
• Close all windows and lock all doors.
• Never leave a vehicle while it is running.
• Never leave valuables in a vehicle. Anything stored inside a vehicle should be out of sight or in the trunk.
• Never leave credit cards or debit cards, cash, or a wallet or purse inside a vehicle overnight.
• Park in well-lit areas or inside a garage, if possible. Park in visible areas where the vehicle is not hidden by foliage or larger vehicles. Install lights with motion sensors nearby.
• Double-check the vehicle is locked and secure each night around 9 p.m.

If a vehicle has been stolen or broken into, follow these steps:

• Call the police to report the theft or break-in. A copy of the police report and/or a case number will be needed for the insurance company.
• Residents may be asked to provide the license plate number, make, model and color of the car, the VIN number and any identifying characteristics.
• Contact the insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours of when the theft or break-in was discovered.
• Drivers who find their stolen vehicle before authorities should contact police and insurance immediately.