North Reading Police Department Shares Vehicle Theft Prevention Tips

NORTH READING — Police Chief Mark Zimmerman would like to share the following information about vehicle theft prevention following an increase in thefts around Town. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 850,000 vehicles were stolen in the U.S. in 2024, accounting for one vehicle every 37 seconds. Each year, incidents of vehicle theft cost owners upwards of $8 billion nationwide. 

In the past week, two vehicles were stolen in North Reading. The North Reading Police Department would like to share the following tips from the NHTSA with the community so that they can best protect their vehicles: 

• Take your keys with you when you exit your vehicle. Never leave them inside or on top of your vehicle. 
• Close and lock all windows and doors when you park, even if you are only leaving it for a few minutes. An expert auto thief can break into and steal a car in less than a minute.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running. A running car can be stolen in seconds. 
• Park in well-lit areas if possible. 
• Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially if they can be seen from outside.
• Never leave credit cards/debit cards, cash, or your wallet or purse inside your vehicle overnight.
• Consider installing motion-censored lights or cameras near the area where you park your car. 
• Remember the 9 p.m. routine: take a few minutes each night to remove valuables from your vehicles, lock your vehicle doors, lock the doors to your residence, turn on exterior lights and activate all alarms and security systems.

If you are a victim of vehicle theft, call the police to report a theft or break-in. If you find your vehicle before authorities do, contact the police immediately. If there are people in the vehicle, do not approach and wait for police to arrive. 

“Simple steps such as taking your keys out of your vehicle, locking your vehicle, and rolling your windows up take just a few seconds, but can be the key to protecting your vehicles,” said Chief Zimmerman. “You can never be too cautious when it comes to your vehicles. A vehicle can be stolen in minutes, or even seconds, if it is unprotected.”