ALWAYS take the key out of the ignition, roll the windows up tight and lock the doors whenever you park your vehicle, even if only for a minute.
	NEVER leave your motor running without you in it. It's unsafe, and it's a traffic violation.
	Park in a well-lighted, busy spot if possible. A car thief would rather work where he is not seen. Check your car from time to time.
	If you have a garage, use it! Lock both your car and the garage. If you don't have a garage, park in a driveway instead of the street, if possible.
	When you park in an attended lot, leave only the ignition key. Don't give the attendant a full set of keys or any key on which a key code appears. Either invites key copying. If you leave your house key, your home may become a target of a future burglary. Be sure to take the claim check with you to prevent a thief from using it to drive your car out of the lot.
	Never hide spare keys in a secret place or in a magnetic key box under the hood or other accessible places. Car thieves routinely check the visors and ash tray and look under the floor mats. If you feel better with spare keys close at hand, then carry them with you.

Install locks that deter thefts, such as:

 

	Tapered door lock buttons, to keep thieves from using coat hangers to open your car doors from the inside.
	High-security ignition locks, which normally go around the steering column housing (sometimes these are known as "cuff locks").
	A "cane" or "J-bend" lock, which normally hooks up the steering wheel and the brake pedal.
	External and internal hood locks. These protect the battery from being stolen too.

Install other forms of disables devices, such as:

	Ignitions kill devices, which interferes with the ignition system even if the car is "hot-wired."
	A fuel cutoff device, which shuts off the fuel after running for a few seconds. All of these devices can be hidden.

Install the best type of alarm that you can afford (silent alarms, sound discriminators, motion detectors, and computerized tracking transmitters are among the high-end devices now available). Be sure to advise potential thieves that you have an alarm by placing warning stickers on your windows or windshields.

	DON’T keep the car’s title in the glove compartment; keep it at home. This will prevent a thief from using the title to "prove" he owns the car.
	Don't keep anything of value in your glove compartment -- and, therefore, don't lock your glove compartment. Otherwise, some inquisitive thief may break it open to see what's inside.
	Check periodically to be sure that your vehicle identification number (VIN) is intact. This is the small metal plate, usually on the driver's side where the dashboard and windshield meet.
	Put packages and valuables out of sight, in the trunk. These include such items as cellular phones, calculators, CB radios, tape decks, expensive sports equipment and clothing. Put these items away before parking your car. If your car has a button release, keep the trunk button locked.
	When selling a car, DON'T let a stranger take it for a test drive alone. A car thief will not be back to pay you for your car. If a prospective buyer wants to take the car to a mechanic for an appraisal, volunteer to deliver and pick up the car.

 

	"Marking" your car can make it easier for the Sheriff’s Office to identify your vehicle. One way is to drop a business card in the window slot. Another is to carefully engrave your initials inside the trunk, the hood, or even on the dashboard near the VIN number.
	Carry a photocopy of your vehicle's current license plate registration and insurance card. This will enable you to relay numbers to the Sheriff’s Office quickly if your car is stolen.
	Use discretion if you see someone tampering with your car. Call 9-1-1 as quickly as possible. Don't begin a fight with anyone, especially in a secluded area.
	Protect yourself when buying a used car. Verify the seller's name and address, and be sure that the VIN on the registration card is the same as the VIN on the car itself. Thousands of stolen cars are seized from innocent buyers every year.