HATTIESBURG, Mississippi– Dropping temps bring rising rates of car theft. News Mississippi spoke with the cops to find out how you can prevent the car from leaving your driveway with someone else.
The hustle and bustle of mornings has an added step during the colder months in Mississippi–letting the car run for a moment while it heats up. You may crank it up and head back inside to finish the morning to do list; putting your car at risk of being stolen.
“It does increase, I’ve seen cases of it here,” says Lieutenant John Traxler with the Hattiesburg Police Department.
People letting the car warm up with the keys inside create the perfect opportunity for a car thief.
“They don’t have to look for keys or hot-wire it,” says Lt. Traxler, “the keys are there and it’s cranked. They can just take off.”
So letting the car warm up puts the car at risk, but you’re still wanting to let the defrost run. How can you prevent something happening to the car?
“Have a spare key, and lock the doors while it runs,” says Lt. Traxler.
Lt. Traxler points out that if the car comes with a key fob, you can crank the car and leave it running without worrying about it being stolen if the fob is in your pocket. If those options aren’t for you, just keep an eye on the car.
But if someone does attempt to take the car, don’t run after them.
“I’m not going to say don’t try to get a description, but call us and let us do the job,” warns Lt. Traxler.
