SEATTLE — According to the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority there were more than 31,000 car thefts in 2021, the highest in the last five years.
KIRO 7 asked police about the best ways to protect your car and its contents.
The first tip may seem obvious but is a good reminder. Park your car in a garage, whether it’s your building’s or one at your home.
If that’s not an option, try to park your car somewhere with good lighting that’s visible to you or a neighbor.
If you’re parking on the street, try to park right under a streetlight.
If you park in your driveway, consider adding a surveillance camera at your home, set it to send you motion notifications and leave a light on overnight.
Police say that if you’re concerned about thieves targeting your catalytic converter, consider installing a shield or cage underneath your vehicle.
As far as belongings in your car, use your trunk to store them instead of leaving items on your seat. Or at the very least, keep them out of sight. That includes loose change, sunglasses and any electronics.
Police also recommend using a steering wheel lock, such as The Club, to prevent the steering wheel from turning.
“Say there’s two vehicles parked right next to each other, (with) similar visibility to things around it, and one has a Club and one doesn’t. The one that doesn’t have a Club is just easier to steal than the one that has one,” said Seattle Police Department crime prevention coordinator, Jennifer Danner.