Suggested Steps to Limit Car Break-Ins

The police are well aware and called often to unfortunate car break-ins. This not only includes broken windows and stolen goods but also stealing cars just to drop them off somewhere after a fun ride.

No car is safe, obviously, but the thought and experience is that most break-ins are on the “fast and just grab it” side, meaning they are grab and go, since witnesses might drive/walk by any time. With today’s surveillance cameras just everywhere (beware of picking your nose even if you think you are unobserved!), and people having easy access to filming the perpetrators easily, and social media spreading the word fast, this is even a more accurate assessment. Time is of essence in car break-ins.

Here are some recommendations to limit car break-ins:

1. Keep the car cabin empty and neat (this will also impress your friends and neighbors).
2. Use a wheel lock (a broken window is one thing, a stolen car another).
3. Gather all your car papers in a small bag and carry them with you on the hike. You may even go as far to gather all your papers that identify you or your family with you, including keys and so on. You get the picture.
4. Consider having an AirTag (if you are an iPhone owner) or other tracking devices for Androids (for example Samsung SmartTag,Tile Pro, Chipolo One) to track your car in the unfortunate event the car gets stolen. This will help the police find your car and return it in a whim.

Just make sure the sound of the alarm of the tracking device is off, so that the perpetrators are not alerted by it (and find the tag) when the tag is “separated” from you – actually, your phone, to be more accurate – and feels lonely when you are hiking, hence sounding off (excuse the pun). Also, turning off the sound saves battery, since the tag will sound off any time you leave the car not only for hiking, say, but also for some shopping at Ala Moana. Or Costco. Or… you get the picture. Tags are very demanding cute little things!

Happy hiking!