Boston police Officer Michael Santry has tracked down stolen cars all over the city in his 18 years as an auto theft investigator. But he'd rather see car owners take a few steps to avoid all the trouble and expense.
"The biggest thing is prevention," he said. "The police department doesn't want cars to get stolen."
Nationally, auto theft has dropped in the past four years. Still, according to the most recent figures available from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a car was stolen every 26 seconds in 2006. And that ends up costing everybody, Santry said, when it gets passed along as higher insurance premiums.
But take note: Thieves aren't just looking to snag hot rod sports cars. In fact, 1995
So why not make it harder? Santry said owners should add antitheft devices to their vehicles to deter thieves. He recommends a three-prong approach: car alarms with a blinking light, visible steering wheel locks, and hidden ignition switches that prevent the car from starting. Some companies offer tracking devices that come into play once the car is stolen, but Santry prefers methods that stop the car from disappearing in the first place.
Fortunately, he said, many auto manufacturers are equipping new cars with built-in alarms or antitheft devices. He credits those changes with falling theft rates.
But for those who still drive an older model - especially those aging Hondas that seem so popular with thieves - he said spending a couple hundred dollars on the front end could prevent much bigger bills and headaches later.
While some car alarm systems can cost $1,000, Santry said drivers can get a decent alarm system for $99, a steering wheel or ignition lock for as little as $15, and an ignition kill switch wired to a car's starter for under $100.
Car alarms come in all shapes and prices ranges. Some use a heart beat sensor to remotely let the owner know if someone is inside the car. Some feature smart keys that contain a code; without it, the engine locks. And some flash lights and horns, instead of the wailing noise that many people have learned to ignore. Others have a trigger that activates when the vehicle tilts as a tow truck tries to cart it away.
But Santry said one important factor is an LED light that blinks on the dash, letting the potential thief know that the car is alarmed.
Then, he said, add a visible physical lock on the steering wheel. Those can form a cuff around the steering column or the wheel or connect a bar from the steering wheel to the pedals.
Finally, he said, add a starter switch. The switches prevent the engine from turning over until the driver touches the switch, which can be installed to various parts of the car such as the high-beam lights or the wipers.
