Driving Tips
While driving keep doors locked and windows rolled up if possible. Make sure there is enough gas in the tank to get you where you are going and maintain your car in good working order. If you should break down, pull well off of the traveled portion of the roadway. Raise the hood and turn on emergency flashers. Stay inside your car and if you have a cellular telephone call the police immediately. If someone stops and offers to help, remain in your car and speak to the person through a slightly cracked window. Ask them to call the police or a nearby garage. Never exit your car. While chances are high that the person stopping to help is a Good Samaritan and means no harm, he could also be a crazed killer. Why take the chance?
Women and Unmarked Police Cars
There is a common belief that women do not have to pull over for unmarked police cars. This is not the truth. However, every good police officer recognizes that women do have special concerns about police imposters. If an unmarked car attempts to pull you over, signal to the officer that you intend to comply and try to find a safe place to stop. Don't try traveling too far, but look for a public place if possible. If the officer approaches your car and is in a uniform make sure the uniform is standard for the police in your area. If the officer is in plain clothes explain your concerns and ask him to call for a uniform officer. A plain clothes officer should have his or her ID card complete with a picture. Look at it closely. Do this from the safety of your driver's seat. Police officers receive training in women's issues and should be understanding of your concerns.
Vehicle Security
Crimes against motor vehicles include Motor Vehicle Theft, Theft from Motor Vehicle, and Vandalism to Motor Vehicle. Lock your vehicle while you are on campus or in any of the park-and-ride parking lots around campus.
Security Devices
Motor Vehicle Theft has changed over the years. It used to be that car thieves tended to target expensive luxury type cars. Nowadays, however, any car can be at risk of being stolen. Even older models are taken by thieves due to their value in being chopped for replacement parts. Hundreds of anti-theft devices are available from elaborate alarm systems to simple steering wheel locks. Most systems offer adequate defense against motor vehicle theft. Vehicle alarms are quick to activate when a vehicle becomes tampered with, but can be somewhat akin to "the boy who cried wolf." How many times have you heard a car alarm sounding without even bothering to look out the window to see what's going on? People have become so accustomed to false car alarms they don't always draw much attention. Devices which lock the steering wheel or brake pedal provide a high degree of safety for a vehicle. Although no system is impenetrable, thieves look for the "path of least resistance." In crowded parking lots and decks it's more prudent for a thief to find an unprotected car than defeat a security device. Paying thousands to buy a car and nothing to protect it doesn't make good car sense.
Car Break-Ins
Put out enough bait and eventually you get a strike...(lame fishing analogy). Leave valuables visible in a car and eventually someone will strike...your car. Car stereos, radar detectors, cell phones and numerous other items are commonly taken from cars on campus. In nearly every case the items were left in the open visible to passers-by. All it takes is seconds for someone to break a window and take any items from your vehicle. Removing the items from view is one of your best defenses against this type of crime. Thieves looking to take something are looking for something easy to take once they enter your vehicle. It you have to leave items behind make sure they are placed in the trunk of your vehicle out of sight of others.
