July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month!

Published on July 29, 2024

20240729July-is-National-Vehicle-Theft-Prevention-Month.png

July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month and the Menlo Park Police Department encourages everyone to stay vigilant and use good judgement to protect your vehicles from this costly crime, which is on the rise across the nation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 1 million cars were stolen in 2023. That is the equivalent of one vehicle being stolen every 31 seconds!

The good news is that there are precautions that drivers can take to avoid becoming a victim of vehicle burglary. Here are some easy tips for safeguarding your vehicles:

  • Park in well-lit and well-traveled areas.
  • Lock your doors and arm your alarms after parking.
  • Hide your valuables.
  • Don’t leave keys in the vehicle (even when filling up at the gas station).
  • Never leave a running vehicle unattended.

For more information on vehicle theft prevention, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.  

If you are a victim of vehicle theft, contact the Police immediately to file a stolen-vehicle report. You can also file a report online.