Vehicle Safety
Follow these precautions to reduce risk to yourself and prevent vehicle theft:
- Always lock your vehicle and make sure all windows have been rolled up or closed.
- Remove valuable items from plain sight. Secure them in the trunk or not leave them in the vehicle.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Report suspicious vehicles and people to the police.
- Look inside of your vehicle before opening the door, carefully checking the back seat area.
- Always have your keys ready when you approach the vehicle to minimize the time it takes to open the door and get in the vehicle.
- Consider having an alarm or security system installed in your vehicle.
- Immediately lock your doors once inside the vehicle.
Many of the thefts from motor vehicles or auto burglaries here at CSUMB occur at night. The thieves selectively choose vehicles based on what they can see through the window or they check the door handles of vehicles until they locate one that is unlocked.
We strongly encourage members of the community to report suspicious people and vehicles. Anyone loitering in the parking lots or near parked vehicles during hours of darkness or anyone looking into parked vehicles is suspicious. Sometimes suspects will work in pairs, one serving as a lookout while another commits the theft.
Do not jeopardize your personal safety. There is nothing in your vehicle or anyone else’s vehicle that is more valuable than your safety.
- Do not approach or confront the suspicious people.
- Call the police.
- Try to give the dispatcher a good location and description of the suspicious person(s).
- Include a description of clothing worn, associated vehicles, and last known direction of travel.