Chief Todd Fitzgerald and the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department ask residents to properly secure their vehicles to prevent break-ins and avoid being easy targets for thieves.
The summer season is most popular for vehicle thefts and break-ins; according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, more than 1 million cars were stolen in 2022. The NHTSA also warns that vehicle parts and valuable items also are targets, including radios, wheel covers, doors, engines, transmissions, air bags and radios, as well as items such as GPS units, cellphones, iPads, laptops and purses.
“Residents should lock their car doors every time they leave their vehicle,” Chief Fitzgerald said. “Please take all of your valuables with you. An expensive item is an attractive target for would-be criminals.”
Manchester-by-the-Sea Police offers the following tips to secure your vehicle and personal belongings:
- Take your keys. Don’t leave them in your vehicle.
- Close all windows and lock all doors.
- Never leave your vehicle while it is running.
- Never leave valuables in your vehicle. Anything stored inside your vehicle should be out of sight or in the trunk.
- Never leave credit cards/debit cards, cash, or your wallet or purse inside of your vehicle overnight.
- Park in well-lit areas or preferably inside a garage, if possible.
- Park in visible areas where your vehicle is not hidden by foliage or larger vehicles. Install lights with motion sensors near where you park your vehicle.
- Start the “9 p.m. Routine.” Double-check that your vehicle is locked and secure each night around 9 p.m.
If your vehicle has been broken into, follow these steps:
- Call the police to report a theft or break-in immediately.
- File a claim with your insurance company within 24 hours of discovering your vehicle was broken into.
- Your insurance company will request a copy of the police report and/or a case number for the insurance company to process a claim.
- You may be asked to provide the license plate number, make, model and color of the car, the VIN number and any identifying characteristics.
- If you find your vehicle before authorities, contact the police immediately and then your insurance company.