Car Safety - How to protect Your Property from Crime
Use the information below to help protect your car and property from crime. Topics found in more detail below:
- Protect Yourself from Catalytic Converter Theft
- Don't Let Your Car be an Invitation for Crime
- What Does Your Car Tell Others About You & Your Family
- Keeping Your Car Safe from Break-Ins (a message from the PVE PD)
Protect Yourself From Catalytic Converter Theft
Catalytic converter theft continues to be a regular crime in the South Bay and sadly in PVE, too. Thieves can steal these devices in a few short minutes and sell the precious metals included in the device for profit through scrap metal dealers.
Etching can help with recovery, but it is not a prevention mechanism. The etched converter will not be able to be legally sold and if it is recovered by the police, they will be able to track the item back to the owner. The etching also allows the police to take criminal action on the theft.
Consider taking steps to help avoid the expense, inconvenience and frustration of being a victim of a catalytic converter theft.
Take Steps to Prevent the Crime
Consider parking your car in your garage (time for spring cleaning?) or putting cameras on the target. Perhaps install a cage or other restrictive device? There are a growing number of options available.
These resources provide you information and leads to consider as a point of protection. We encourage you to review the options and make your own selection based on the reviews and articles that are found on the internet.
More information on Catalytic Converter Theft
Etching can help with recovery, but it is not a prevention mechanism. The etched converter will not be able to be legally sold and if it is recovered by the police, they will be able to track the item back to the owner. The etching also allows the police to take criminal action on the theft.
Consider taking steps to help avoid the expense, inconvenience and frustration of being a victim of a catalytic converter theft.
Take Steps to Prevent the Crime
Consider parking your car in your garage (time for spring cleaning?) or putting cameras on the target. Perhaps install a cage or other restrictive device? There are a growing number of options available.
These resources provide you information and leads to consider as a point of protection. We encourage you to review the options and make your own selection based on the reviews and articles that are found on the internet.
More information on Catalytic Converter Theft
- Ways to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft (Houston News)
- Preventing Catalytic Converter Theft (City of Garden Grove)
- 5 Ways to Foil Catalytic Converter Thieves (NerdWallet)
Protective Device Options:
Do your own research to determine reliability for your situation and compatibility with your vehicle. A web search on the phrase catalytic converter theft deterrents will provide a number of photos, videos, articles and products for you to consider:
Do your own research to determine reliability for your situation and compatibility with your vehicle. A web search on the phrase catalytic converter theft deterrents will provide a number of photos, videos, articles and products for you to consider:
- Alarms
- Cages
- Plates
- Clamps
- Stickers
car safety - don't allow your car to be a invitation for Crime
Your car can be an invitation for crime but there are are simple and quick solutions you can put in place to protect your car, home, family and neighborhood. Use the tips below to make your situation better.
One of the common crimes in PVE is car break-ins. The perpetrator will go down the street and peek in car windows and test for unlocked doors. Usually with gloves on, they will be undetected and grab items of interest and they're on their way.
Another common crime in the South Bay Area, is catalytic converter theft.
We have provided some resources below to help keep your car more safe from crime. As always, if you see something, say something. Your call to the PVE PD provides them with information and a chance to check things out. If you have a crime happen to you, please report it. When the police have all the crime stats, it helps all of us to know what are the crime trends in our community.
One of the common crimes in PVE is car break-ins. The perpetrator will go down the street and peek in car windows and test for unlocked doors. Usually with gloves on, they will be undetected and grab items of interest and they're on their way.
Another common crime in the South Bay Area, is catalytic converter theft.
We have provided some resources below to help keep your car more safe from crime. As always, if you see something, say something. Your call to the PVE PD provides them with information and a chance to check things out. If you have a crime happen to you, please report it. When the police have all the crime stats, it helps all of us to know what are the crime trends in our community.
What Does Your Car Tell Others About You & Your Family?
What does your car tell passersby about you and your family? Is it something you want strangers to know? Take time to be proactive to protect your car, home, family and neighborhood.
Decide if You Want These Announcements in Your Car:
Eliminating crimes of opportunity keeps all of us safe. Let’s not provide an invitation to unwanted visitors. Make sure your car is cleared and locked each day.
Decide if You Want These Announcements in Your Car:
- Transponder: Shows that you may be away from your house for long periods of time during the day, commuting to and from work. Consider putting it in the window when you use it and storing it out of sight when you’re parked (whether at home or at work).
- Company Badge: You are letting others know where you work and perhaps what position you have, what you look like and other critical information about you. Best to keep your badge with you to protect personal information or in case you have a car break-in.
- Stickers: Family stickers show how many children in your family. Political, Disney Annual Pass, proud parent and other stickers tell passersby about your family and possible habits. Think before posting on your car.
- Papers and Technology: Remember that anything In your car is an invitation to look further. Put things out of sight. Take valuables with you.
Eliminating crimes of opportunity keeps all of us safe. Let’s not provide an invitation to unwanted visitors. Make sure your car is cleared and locked each day.
Keep Your Car Safe From Break-Ins -- A Message from the PVE PD
On 8/30/2020 between 9pm and 9am the next morning, we experienced multiple thefts from vehicles in the Valmonte Area (namely Via La Selva). Torrance had similar activity across our border in that area too.
The majority of the vehicles were unlocked and had valuables visible to the criminals. These are crimes of opportunity that invite criminals into our communities as a fruitful target. Patrol officers are actively patrolling the area and detectives are attempting to identify the suspect(s).
Commonly stolen items include purses, wallets, electronics, mail, cell phones, GPS devices, and sporting equipment — all often left in plain view.
The Palos Verdes Estates Police Department wants to prevent you from becoming a victim. The following tips will help to reduce the chances that your vehicle will be targeted and help keep our community safer.
The majority of the vehicles were unlocked and had valuables visible to the criminals. These are crimes of opportunity that invite criminals into our communities as a fruitful target. Patrol officers are actively patrolling the area and detectives are attempting to identify the suspect(s).
Commonly stolen items include purses, wallets, electronics, mail, cell phones, GPS devices, and sporting equipment — all often left in plain view.
The Palos Verdes Estates Police Department wants to prevent you from becoming a victim. The following tips will help to reduce the chances that your vehicle will be targeted and help keep our community safer.
- * Secure your vehicle — lock doors, close windows and sunroof
- * Place ALL items out of sight, or remove them from your vehicle
- * Do not leave cell phones, chargers, computer equipment or other electronics accessories connected to the console
- * Do not leave mail or documents with your personal information in the car — even blank papers are a temptation to a thief
- * Park in a well-lighted area where your vehicle is visible to pedestrian and vehicular traffic
- * If you have a garage, use it and keep it closed and locked
- * Call 310-378-4211 to report suspicious activity or 9-1-1 for emergencies