Koon's Watch

Most of us get around using motor vehicles. They’re often an indispensable part of our lives. What would happen if yours suddenly disappeared? Vehicle theft is a very expensive crime. The cost of stolen vehicles is more than $4.1 billion – that’s billion with a “B.” Each year, there are several hundred motor vehicle thefts in Lexington County. Keys left somewhere in the vehicle is a factor in many of those thefts. It’s simple yet often unheeded advice: Always take your keys out of your car. You may be surprised how many people leave their cars running when they go inside a store for a quick purchase. Whether they want to keep the car warm or cool, many just don’t want to turn the car off in the interest of convenience. I can assure you this can easily lead to a great deal of inconvenience. About 40% of vehicles stolen around the country are never recovered. It’s a costly and time-consuming ordeal to handle the aftermath of a stolen vehicle. Items stolen from inside of your car can also create a | headache for you. Every time you get out of your car:

• Turn it off.

• Remove all valuables from the car.

• Close and lock all doors and windows.

• Take your keys with you. If you’re not able to take valuables with you, lock them in the trunk or make sure they’re not in plain view. These are tried and true ways to greatly reduce your risk of having your car stolen.