NORTH HOLLYWOOD - In recent weeks, the LAPD reports a slight uptick in auto and bike thefts reports in the North Hollywood area. To minimize your chances of becoming a victim, here are helpful tips and crime fighting strategies to prevent theft.
Automobile Safety
Never leave a spare key inside your vehicle.
Never leave a running vehicle unattended.
Store spare keys in a concealed location within your home.
Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is parked in front of your home.
When possible, park your car inside your garage.
Park in well-lit areas.
Do not leave anything valuable in your car, especially if it can be seen inside.
Install car theft prevention products, such as alarms, GPS and a recovery system.
According to the LAPD, vehicles like Toyota Camrys, Honda Civics and Honda Accords of model years older than 2000 are often the targets of theft and break-ins. As part of the effort to prevent theft, the North Hollywood Community Police Station in collaboration with Councilmember Krekorian is giving away free anti-theft steering wheels locks to car owners who have qualifying vehicles. For more information about this program, contact the North Hollywood Community Police Station at (818) 754-8300.
Bicycle Safety
Keep a record of the serial number/model/make/color of your bike .
Take photos of your bike.
Etch your frame and part with identifying information.
Invest in at least one quality bike lock or locks such as ulocks, 318" hex or quad chain, or heavy padlock.
Learn how to properly lock your bike.
When your bike is not in use, lock and secure it in your home or garage at all times.
If you keep your bike parked in the yard or street, use high quality locks to secure it to a permanently fixed location.
Register your bike with www.bikeindex.org, a free service that offers an easy and efficient way to store and update important identifying information about your bike and makes stolen bikes harder to sell and easier to recover.
If you see any suspicious activity, report it to LAPD immediately by calling 9-1-1.