WEST PALM BEACH AUTO THEFT UNIT Protecting Your Vehicle

Professional car thieves can steal any car in under a minute, make their work difficult if they try and steal yours. You can do this with common sense and a layered combination of anti-theft devices to thwart thieves. All vehicle theft prevention equipment helps deter criminals. Many anti-theft devices are also effective in protecting your vehicle from burglaries and vandalism.

Steering Wheel Lock: A long metal bar with a lock that fits on the steering wheel and is designed to prevent the steering wheel from being turned. Also acts as a visual deterrent for thieves looking in car windows.
Average Cost: $25 to $100

Car Alarms: The typical car alarm is equipped with motion sensors, impact sensors and a loud siren or series of tones in the 120-decibel range.
Average Cost: $150 to $ 1,000

Kill Switches: Kill Switches prevent the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until the switch is activated. Starter disablers are also growing in popularity.
Average Cost: $10 to $125

Electronic Tracking Devices: An electronic transmitter hidden in the vehicle which emits a signal that is picked up by the police or a monitoring station.
Average Cost: $400 to $1,500 i.e. Lo-Jack, On-Star and similar navigation systems.

Steering Column Armored Collars: Collars prevent thieves from breaking into the steering column to "hot-wire" the vehicle. Some are installed permanently and others must be installed manually each time the driver leaves the vehicle. Average Cost: $100 to $200

Window Etching: Etching the vehicle identification number onto the window as well as other parts of the car, discourages thieves from taking the vehicle and also aids in recovering the vehicle if it is stolen.
Average Cost: $20 to $100.
*Check with your local police department; many will offer this service for free.

Theft Deterrent Decals: Typical decals identify the vehicle is protected by either an alarm system or national prevention company.
Average Cost: $2 to $5

Auto Theft Unit, West Palm Beach Police