Texas Insurance Group Says to Lock, Take, Hide on Black Friday

The Insurance Council of Texas is warning shoppers about possible vehicle break-ins on the Black Friday shopping holiday.

Criminals will be intent on burglarizing vehicles that may have been left unlocked or simply have phones, I pads, gifts, and other valuables in plain view, the ICT said.

The group said locking your car, taking your keys and hiding your possessions has been shown to greatly reduce both auto burglaries and thefts.

In order to help reduce auto theft and burglary, the ICT has donated more than 2,000 of the Lock, Take and Hide signs to police departments all over Texas. The signs have been posted in parking lots at businesses across the state.

“Our crime statistics clearly show that drivers are getting the message and criminals are steering clear of where these signs have been placed,” says Mesquite Police officer Jeff Goodfred. “Drivers are taking the time to secure their vehicles and the brightly colored signs have gotten everyone’s attention.”

Mesquite and more than two dozen other Texas cities have taken part in the Insurance Council of Texas’ Lock, Take and Hide program.

In the city of Mesquite, police officers contacted 16 businesses that had the highest incidence of vehicle thefts and burglaries. Each business was provided with Lock, Take and Hide signs. After four months, the crime statistics for each area were compared to the previous year and showed the positive impact of the signs.

In locations where high-crime businesses installed the Lock, Take and Hide signs, there was a reduction in these types of offenses. The businesses that turned down the offer of installing the signs experienced a significant increase in crime.

“This simple reminder has prevented hundreds of auto thefts and burglaries across the state, saved property, and helped hard working Texans avoid the hassle and headache of having their auto stolen or broken into,” said Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the ICT. “We want Texans to be able to enjoy their holiday shopping or other activities without having to return to a burglarized or stolen auto.”

ICT began the Lock, Take and Hide program in 2005 after receiving a request from the Austin Police Department for the crime prevention signs. ICT has donated the signs to cities and Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authorities in every corner of the state.

Source: The Insurance Council of Texas

Topics Texas Auto