Common sense best defense against car thieves

      A car is stolen every 19 seconds in the United States, according to the Washington D.C.-based National Crime Prevention Council.
      But people still aren't making it much harder for thieves to steal their cars, according to Kathy Ojeda, crime prevention specialist for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Southeast Area Command.
      They leave doors and garages unlocked, park in dimly-lighted places or leave their cars running when they run in and out of the store or house.
      "People don't treat their cars like investments," said Ojeda.
      According to a police report totalling auto theft numbers from January to April, three of the highest hit areas for car thefts are in the Southeast: Desert Inn Road and Las Vegas Boulevard, Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard, and Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. All are on the Strip.
      Casino parking garages make inviting targets for car thieves because they're often packed, sometimes not very well-lighted and provide good cover for stealthy thieves.
      Ojeda recommends drivers use parking garages with ticketed entry and exit, valet parking and manned stations.
      Crime prevention specialist Charlie McKee said apartment complexes are also becoming a favorite haunt for car thieves.
      "Sometimes it's hard to keep track of your car in an apartment complex," McKee said. "You might come home one night and see people in your parking spot. So you decide to park elsewhere and end up 150 yards from your residence. Now, you can't see your car. That's prime time for a car thief. When possible, park in your spot or as close to your residence as possible, and get an alarm."
      His alarm thwarted a thief from stealing his 1975 Corvette.
      "This guy was a professional," McKee said. "He'd unscrewed the lights above my parking space and was trying to jimmy the door when I heard the alarm. I ran outside but I just missed him."
      Alarms and other anti-theft systems - kill switches which shut off the engine's ignition system, steering wheel locks and collars - lessen chances of theft, especially by youngsters looking to steal a car for a joy ride. Prior theft victims are likely to be victimized again, according to the report.
      Ojeda suggests people avoid parking in airport lots and other major lots for extended periods of time. Besides growth, the specialists say the city's proximity to Mexico adds to the car theft problem.
      Ojeda said common sense might be the best defense. Don't leave valuables visible, park in well-lighted areas, use valets and lock doors and garages. Homeowners also need to be more cautious.
      "Too often, homeowners let their guard down when they're at home," Ojeda said. "They don't lock their door or they put their cars in the garage and leave the car and garage unlocked. That's inviting trouble."
      The type of car you buy also factors in to car theft. According to the report, the top five stolen vehicles in Las Vegas were 1989 Black Chevy Camaros, 1990 White Honda Accords, 1992 White Toyota Pickups, 1993 White Toyota Camrys and 1994 Red Honda Civics.
      The average value of the property lost - identification, credit cards and other financial identification - is $250, according to the report.
      Most of the cars stolen in Clark County are usually found less than five miles from where they were stolen. Cars stolen in the downtown area move the least distance; those stolen in outlying areas often end up in the center of the city. Wednesday was the most popular day to steal cars and 6 p.m. was the preferred time, the report concluded.
      Ojeda and McKee said the more secure a car is, the better.