Your vehicle is more than transportation — prevent auto theft

When a vehicle is stolen, the consequences go beyond losing a car — Pennsylvanians depend on vehicles for work, school, medical appointments and errands, and victims face insurance deductibles, rental costs, missed work and hours of recovery paperwork. Steve Wheeler of the Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority notes auto theft raises community costs and is often a crime of opportunity: nearly half of stolen vehicles in the state were left unlocked. Simple precautions — locking your vehicle, taking keys, hiding valuables, parking in well-lit visible areas, never leaving a running vehicle unattended, and reporting suspicious activity — can make vehicles harder targets and help protect your community.