Phoenixville Police Urge Residents To Lock Their Cars After Rash Of Thefts

All Phoenixville residents are being warned to remember to lock their cars after a rash of thefts across the boroughs from unlocked vehicles, police said on Thursday.

Police released a memo including several “common sense” habits and preventative measures which they said would greatly reduce the likelihood of vehicle theft.

• Lock your doors

“While this piece of advice should be a no-brainer, up to a quarter of vehicle thefts are from unlocked cars, according to some law enforcement agencies,” police said.

“Even if you’re running into the store for a Coke, that’s too long to leave your vehicle’s contents open for the taking. Simply locking the doors will deter those who might just be waiting around for an easy target.”

• Keep it tidy

“Almost any worthless personal item that’s visible from the outside -- even an empty shopping bag -- could be seen as a valuable or a carrier of valuables. If you have a wagon or SUV that leaves your cargo area on display, consider getting a cover. Most of these vehicles can be fitted with inexpensive retractable covers to help keep shopping bags or other belongings out of sight.”

• Conceal all the evidence

“Don’t leave any bait out for thieves; stow your electronics and accessories well out of sight-or better yet, bring it with you. The evidence alone might be enough to pique the interest of thieves, so hide that too, including power plugs, telltale iPod adapters, or nav-system windshield suction-cup mounts, and even put the cigarette lighter back in place.”

• Stash before -- not after -- you park

“Get in the habit of putting shopping bags in the trunk right when you return to the vehicle, rather than after you park at the next place. According to National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), thieves sometimes linger in busy parking lots looking for valuables being moved out of sight. Don’t display to them what you have.”