By Ralph Abend & Ed Murray
Ralph’s Tips
It seems that lately the reports of HSV’s being stolen, from often secure locations has really set concern into action. I have always thought that by keeping your car in your driveway, your car-port or Garage should be safe, and that people would have respect to look after your car in car parks or shopping centres etc. Well, I think you all know the answer to that rhetorical statement.
The sad reality is that, people generally, can often be reckless and not concerned about other people’s property, I refer to cars particularly. Recently I was at a shopping centre on a Sunday, like many of you, I would park further away to find a more secluded parking bay, away from other cars. Upon my return, there was a shopping trolley leaning against my car. Ironically, there were no other cars either side or in front? Yet, the trolley found its way leaning against the front guard. It has caused a mild scratch, a scuff mark and a tiny indent.
My vehicle is fitted with a J-400 live Dash Cam, front and rear views with 2-way Audio, upon reviewing the footage, I found that a woman two cars away, simply pushed the trolley out, it rolled away to rest on my car. A reckless, and mind-less action. Unfortunately, I was unable to identify the car or person.
These types of cars seem to be getting higher on theft the hit list, and as a HSV and general Car Enthusiast, I have invested a great deal of time and money in my car, so I am taking security very seriously now.
I have been hearing stories of cars being stolen and damaged. I don’t want mine to be the next statistic. As I mentioned earlier, I already have a very fancy full-time on-line dash cam, and at home, 3 cameras focused on the car behind the roller door, at the rear of the property, with another 3 cameras around the perimeter. A start isolator is also fitted, though I often forget to invoke it, as it also disables the remote start function.
I also keep a car cover on it. Additionally, and more importantly, I have now fitted the Black Knight Tracker as an additional security provision. My logic; In case of a theft, the fancy dash-cam will act as a decoy to any thief, whilst the Tracker is hidden and will hopefully aid in its recovery, if ever it was stolen.
My Tips on keeping it safe.
- Restrict driving your car – it’s a fact that the more often you are on the road or car park, the risk or likelihood of a traffic incident or incidental damage is increased.
- Fit a dash Cam – Even a basic Dash Cam, can provide important information and footage of an event, yours or other’s.
- Fit a Tracker – If your car is stolen, the dash cam is gone, the Car is Gone, but it may be track-able towards recovery?
- Lock The Car – Always lock your car when unattended, use the Double Dead Lock function if your car is fitted with this, this will disable the internal door opener, in case someone breaks a glass to open the doors etc.
- Use a Garage – When at home, clear your garage if you have one, and park your car in it, or as protected as possible.
- Cameras – Fit a reasonable CCTV Security system with at least 2 cameras focused on your pride and joy, best use 45 Deg front and rear views. And if possible fit 2 more focused on the approach and departure of the parking area. All new system generally have a Push Alert Function to view on your mobile.
- No Valuables – Do not leave any valuable items in the car, especially visible through the windows, these are a magnet for break-ins.
- Car Cover – If parked for a longer period, use a car cover to hide the car, Car thieves will target specific cars, they will recognise a protected car by the cover, but may not risk it, unless they know what it is.
- Keys – Do not leave your car keys in the car, or near the front door of your house, keep your car keys with you and near your bed if possible. Especially if you have Keyless Entry/Start.
- Paint protection – a quality paint protection will ensure that stains, from bird droppings, trees etc will not leave any permanent marks, and clean off more easily.
- Battery – Use a trickle charger connected to your Battery, to ensure your battery does not drain, or decay whilst parked. Your tracker requires power to function, if it is towed by a thief, you can track it.
- Display – As much as we like to show off our special mechanical extensions of ourselves, it is important to avoid un-necessary exposure of the car, avoid leaving it in your driveway, or in front of your house, avoid driving home the same way. Avoid washing it on the front grass. These cars are already noticeable, without needing an invitation to where it is stored.
I cannot stress too much, that we must all be vigilant and discourage any potential theft of our beloved HSV’s. Fortunately there are options available, but we must take the first step, recognise the potential dangers, and the risks of our vehicles being stolen. Be mindful, where you park your car, and the area in which you are travelling. I believe it has become important to protect it with whatever method you can. It is sad, but the theft of cars, can really discourage people from driving their cars, fortunately, we have clubs like ours, our regular events and trips can provide the opportunities to get out and have some comfort in the security in numbers.
Ed’s Tips
One of the most successful ways professional thieves take vehicles, and we only talk “professional” is to follow the vehicle to locate its place of residence.
Once that is established, enter the house, usually around 2:00/3:00am when most people are in deep sleep, take the keys then the vehicle.
Vehicles are fitted with alarms and immobilisers to stop joy riders, not professional theft.
Professional theft is usually associated with something of desire or value to the thief.
They might wait a couple of days or a week then pounce.
We talk professional thieves, they are extremely intelligent, cunning and when they want a vehicle they will usually always succeed.
When you go to bed, just insure that your keys are in a very safe and hard to locate area. It makes it that more difficult for a thief to locate.
Another simple and easy way of taking vehicles is by using a code reader.
A simple piece of machinery that can be held at the front door of the house and it can access the ignition code of the vehicle the thief wants. Once this code is accessed, just stand near the vehicle, reproduce the code and presto, the doors unlock and the engine can be started.
Please, at all times, ensure your vehicle is extremely difficult to move from its parked location. It wont stop the theft, just slows things down a little.
Should you be selling items on EBay etc just be a little careful when the proposed buyer pops in to look at the item you are selling. Don’t mention or go anywhere near your HSV.
If you want to protect your vehicle, and nothing available now is 100% theft proof, you should:
1. Fit bollards in front and behind your vehicle so it can only be removed by removing the bollards.
2. Have a separate alarm fitted to your garage doors.
3. Take the wheels off.
Seriously if you find this all too overwhelming, you can just fit a Black Knight Global Tracking System.
It won’t stop 100% of theft, nothing will. However, if you park your vehicle and set the “geofence”, you will know within 15 seconds if your vehicle has moved outside of your chosen geofence, and most important, what direction it is going.
You can contact police, share your log in details and they will locate and follow your vehicle. Without this protection, you have no idea when your car was stolen and most importantly, where it is going or has gone.
Bye-bye baby good bye. You have just lost your prized possession and good luck trying to replace it with a comparable model!
Police will not apprehend whilst your vehicle is moving, they will follow and wait until it reaches the thieves chosen destination, then police will pounce. Simply because, usually where one stolen vehicle is taken, there are many more.
Finally, older vehicles don’t have the same level of theft protection that new vehicles enjoy. What does that mean? Simple – more older vehicles are stolen for spare parts etc.
Police Top 10 security tips
Garage doors are a common weak point when looking at security in a whole-home approach and an easy target for offenders. Garage doors are not only a weakness, but provide offenders a shelter once inside. To the casual passer-by, an open garage with a work truck pulled up to it doesn’t look out of place or scream break in.
Senior Constable Danielle Bright of Calamvale (Qld) Police has put together these 10 tips to help you not become a victim of crime.
- Don’t leave the garage door remote in your vehicle. If a offender breaks in to your car and steal the remote he has a way into your home.
- Invest in a keychain remote opener. Stop using that remote you clip to your visor and get a keychain remote that you can leave on your keys.
- Secure your garage door emergency release. It’s easy to throw some zip-ties on your emergency release and still retain it’s intended function.
- Keep it locked. Put a deadbolt on the door between your house and garage.
- Make sure the door from your garage into your house is as secure as your front door. Ensure you have a strong, sturdy door made out of solid-core wood or reinforced steel.
- Don’t leave your garage door open – how many garages do you see slightly open to let the air flow through?
- Install a wide angle peephole in the door between your house and your garage. You’ll at least be able to see what’s going on if you hear a strange noise rather than opening the door to find out.
- Frost or cover your garage windows.
- Padlock the throw latch on your garage door when you’re out of town. If you don’t have a manual lock on your garage door, you can use a c-clamp to tightened down on each side of the door track to effectively “lock” down the door.
- Don’t neglect maintenance on the mechanical parts of your roll-up garage door and keep an eye out for corrosion. Also, don’t forget the door from your garage to your house; check the frame, locks, hinges and any replaceable items.