7th PDAC provides tips
to help avoid theft

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

Insurance companies formed the Pennsylvania Anti-Car Theft Committee in 1992 in an effort to stem escalating auto theft statistics statewide.
In more than 15 years since its founding, PACT has grown into a broad-based organization with participation from business and community leaders. Among its outreach programs is a speakers bureau offering theft-prevention tips to groups across the commonwealth.
But despite PACT’s hard work, auto thieves continue to thrive in Pennsylvania, mainly because not enough people take the threat of auto theft and theft from auto seriously, according to experts on the subject.
At a meeting of the 7th Police District Advisory Council on March 20, PACT speaker and professional insurance claim representative Mike Niemann joined investigators from Philadelphia’s major crimes unit in explaining the specific steps that individuals can take to avoid becoming theft victims.
"A lot of it is really common sense," Niemann told PDAC members.
Tips like removing the keys from the ignition and locking the doors when you leave the vehicle may seem obvious. But the fact is, many motorists fail to follow even those basic precautions.
Half of all auto thefts occur with the doors of the vehicles left unlocked, while in 13 percent of cases, the keys are left inside the vehicles, Niemann said.
Crooks will often wait outside of quick-stop businesses like convenience stores, ATMs and gas stations waiting for a careless motorist to hop out of his car with the engine running.
"We see it all the time," said Sgt. Paul Lorenzo of the major crime unit’s auto theft squad. "We locked up one kid in the 8th district for twenty-three thefts, including ten in one day. And that’s what he did."
Beyond the most basic levels of protection, there are additional steps that motorists may take to protect their vehicles. Though not endorsing any individual products specifically, police generally recommend steering wheel locks, alarms, hidden engine-kill switches and tracking systems as deterrent and prevention devices.
Professional auto thieves looking for a specific make and model will find a way to get the car regardless of security devices, authorities say. But joyriding kids and other less sophisticated thieves won’t generally mess with heightened layers of protection.
"With the kids, whether you’ve got a Dodge Neon or a Cadillac, if they see The Club, they’re going to move onto the next one," Lorenzo said.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching is yet another way to keep car thieves at-bay. The process involves the use of a stencil and chemical gel to stamp a vehicle’s unique number on each of its windows. Savvy car thieves will avoid stealing a VIN etched car because they know they won’t be able to resell the profitable windows for parts. And if crooks do steal the car, the markings will help police investigators trace the transfer of its parts on the black market.
PACT, through its Auto Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA), will offer free VIN etching on Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Roosevelt Mall in front of Modell’s.
Other anti-theft tips are to use the emergency brake whenever parking and to turn the front wheels toward the curb.
Lorenzo, the police auto squad member, noted that the 7th district has the fewest reported auto thefts in the Northeast and among the fewest throughout the city. Auto thefts are "sporadic," with area train stations the main locations of concern.
Yet, the 7th district, like the rest of the Northeast, has seen a surge in thefts from autos lately. That’s when a thief steals property from inside the vehicle, but not the car itself.
The "common sense" way to avoid becoming a victim of theft from auto is to remove everything of value from the vehicle when leaving it unattended.
That includes all change in the ashtray or cup holder, all documents like registration and insurance papers from the glove box, all packages from the seats or floor, all CDs from the console and especially any valuable electronic equipment like global positioning systems and satellite radio receivers from the dashboard.
Motorists also should never leave personal identification, like Social Security cards or bank documents, in the car. Nor should they keep spare keys in the car.
In other 7th PDAC business:
• Officer Stephen Bys was named Officer of the Month for his arrest of a suspected drunken driver who on Feb. 1 caused a two-vehicle crash on the 8000 block of Castor Ave. that seriously injured another motorist.
Bys received citations from representatives of the state Senate, state House and City Council.
• The council continues to accept registrations from local businesses and organizations wishing to take part in the annual Community Day, scheduled for June 7 at Maternity BVM Church.
Visit www.7thpdac.com for information.
• Community relations officer Rich Simon said the Somerton Civic Association is seeking volunteers to help with the annual Memorial Day parade on Bustleton Avenue. Call 215-464-1260 for information.
• The 7th district will host its first community town hall meeting to discuss local crime issues on Thursday, March 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Anne Frank School, Bowler and Hoff streets.
• Lt. Mike Root informed members of a recent rash of residential burglaries in the district and asked local residents to call 911 to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. Callers are asked to provide a good description of the suspected burglars, including race, height, body type, hair color, clothing and any vehicle in use, including a license plate number.
• Rhawnhurst NORC, a non-profit organization assisting seniors who live in private homes in Rhawnhurst, is seeking volunteers to help with its third annual Spring Cleaning Day on Sunday, April 13. Volunteers will travel to the homes of local seniors in need to help them with a variety of small home-based tasks. Also, NORC is looking for information on any local seniors who may be in need of help. Call 215-728-1330 for information.
• The Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce will host its annual business expo on Thursday, April 17, at CORA Services, Verree and Susquehanna Roads, in Fox Chase. Visit www.gnpcc.org for information. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com