Car break-in deterrents - any suggestions

mrbluesky · Post by **mrbluesky** » 28 Mar 2011, 16:53

My apt complex has had several car break-ins since Sept. Even a guy's street bike was stolen one Sunday morning!
I have not had anyone attempt to break into my car but was wondering if there are some good anti-theft deterrent devices that you guys would know of or recommend. I do not have or keep a GPS/Aftermarket Stereo/Radar detector/laptop etc in my car. I do have lots of stuff in the back seat relating to my job as a sales rep (kind of my office on the road).
Are there any in car camera systems that I could place inside the vehicle discreetly in an attempt to film a potential intruder?
Thank you!

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Mar 2011, 16:58

My mom used to use "The Club" on her BMW - a steering-wheel lock thing. She was always super paranoid about that after it got stolen when she lived in Boston.

Post by **JDS60R** » 28 Mar 2011, 17:13

Put a blanket and an old jacket or shirt over your supplies. Most thieves don't want junk and will not risk guessing what is underneath an old blanket. They are looking for new stuff to sell for drugs or quick cash.

Post by **jimmy57** » 28 Mar 2011, 17:45

Out of sight is the best. Cameras may not be a great enough deterrent. If at all possible place it all in trunk. Blanket may not be as effective as some whacked individuals would think it covers good stuff.

Post by **priapism** » 28 Mar 2011, 18:40

Seriously, a club. It's a big visual deterrent. They'll move to an easier target.

Failing that, you can always get a heavily armed trunk monkey.

Post by **Fish stick88** » 28 Mar 2011, 20:22

If you put a camera in your car, what good would it do if they had your car? Most people will want aftermarket usable items. or the vehical itself. I would recommend getting a cheap lock for tires, or simply store your stuff in the trunk.

mrbluesky · Post by **mrbluesky** » 28 Mar 2011, 21:05

Thanks for the posts. Yeah, I thought about the trunk monkey! HA! @Fish, I agree but if they don't steal your car and just take some stuff out of it you may have them! My trunk is full of chemicals that I sell so Im not able to store all things in it. May just get a Club as a visual deterrent and possibly a GLOCK sticker for the rear window!

MacNoob · Post by **MacNoob** » 31 Mar 2011, 09:36

CLUB will not stop people from breaking into the car to steal stuff - it'll just slow them down if they want to steal the whole car.

Leave NOTHING visible in the car. Get an alarm with a blinking light. A large mean looking dog living in the car helps too.

Park in a brightly lit area with lots of pedestrian traffic. Put up a surveillance camera pointed at your car, with some kind of a light to show it's active.

My bud just replaced his driver's side window. Stolen from the car: plastic chewing gum container full of small change.

mrbluesky · Post by **mrbluesky** » 03 Apr 2011, 15:35

Turns out the latest break-in was due to the female owner leaving her car doors unlocked! So, just doing the basics saves you a lot of headache (locking the car up, sheesh!)

RaymanSean · Post by **RaymanSean** » 06 Apr 2011, 04:53

a GLOCK sticker may be a thief magnent. I could see it now, "This car has a hand gun in it that is registered to someone else..." Leave the car the way it is a lot of papers\chemicals in the back is not going to attract many people. Lock the doors and you should be fine.