Auto Theft

Auto Theft is a serious and growing problem for ALL Union City residents! One car is stolen every 20 seconds in America. More importantly, many amateur auto thieves can force entry into a vehicle, start it, and leave the area in less than 20 seconds!

The following are a few tips that will lower the likelihood that your car will be stolen:

Lock Your Car - Half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.

Take Your Keys - Never leave keys unattended in your car. Many stolen vehicles result from victims leaving unsecured keys in a car.

Never Leave Your Car Running, Even If You'll Only Be Gone for a Minute - A large number of vehicles are stolen every year when people leave them running outside of ATM's, convenience stores, and gas stations. Countless vehicles are stolen when the owner leaves them running on cold mornings to warm them up. Don't abandon running vehicles.

Completely Close Car Windows when Parking - Experienced Auto Thieves quickly access most cars through insecure, or partially open, windows. Ensure your windows are completely closed before parking your car.

Promptly report any suspicious activity by dialing 911 - This tip is the foundation of all crime prevention strategies. By heightening your awareness for suspicious activity, and calling for police assistance when you see something unusual or out of place, you are taking positive steps to reduce crime in your neighborhood.

As you can see, many of these strategies are based on common sense and are very easy to implement. All of us have probably fell victim to some of the habits outlined in these strategies. The Union City Police Department's goal is to raise awareness so that you won't become one of the growing number of auto theft victims. Don't become a victim of "Gone in 20 Seconds!"