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Auto Theft Layers of Protection:

• Always lock your car, even at home in your garage.
• Roll up your windows.
• Never leave valuables in your car.
• Use a visible anti-theft device like a steering wheel lock, etc.
• Use an alarm system with an electrical cutoff to disable the car.
• When shopping or parking in large parking lots, always park as close to any activity as possible.
• If possible, equip your car with a tracking device like "Lo Jack" or GM's "On Star" system. This will aid in recovery of your vehicle.
• Enroll in an anti-theft program (Watch Your Car)
• No one device works all the time. Thats why you need to consider layers of protection.

CPD and the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority Efforts: The Chandler Police Department in conjunction with the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority strives to reduce auto theft in targeted areas and provide education and awareness for the prevention of auto theft through the Watch Your Car and free VIN Etching programs.

Participants are given a VIN Etching free of charge by the police department. To meet the program criteria, participants must live or work in the city and attend an auto theft prevention presentation.

The Watch Your Car decal program is a free, voluntary program whereby vehicle owners enroll their vehicles with the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority. The vehicle is then entered into the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) database and participants receive decals for their front and rear windows. By displaying the decals, vehicle owners convey to law enforcement officials that their vehicle is not usually in use between the hours of 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM, when the majority of auto thefts occur. In addition, by enrolling in the Watch Your Car Program, vehicle owners also authorize law enforcement officials to stop their vehicle at any time during the day or night within one mile of the border, if there is a suspicion that the vehicle is being illegally operated.
If a police officer witnesses the vehicle in operation between these hours, they have the right to stop the vehicle and verify it is being legally operated by the rightful owner.

For more information on the Watch Your Car program you can call 1-888-668-4433 or go to www.azwatchyourcar.com. For information please contact the Chandler Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at 480-782-4521.