Automobile Theft Prevention Devices–Making Use of Them
By Brad | May 9, 2009
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 1.3 million motor vehicles are stolen annually in the United States at a cost of more than $7 billion. To help prevent becoming a victim of this type of crime, it is best to use some sort of physical locking device to aid in the prevention of the theft of your motor vehicle.
Boots, collars, and clubs are some of the tools used by car owners to help prevent car theft. These tools can hinder a part time thief from getting away with your set of wheels. Car thieves see each new antitheft device as a personal challenge. It rarely takes the criminal community long to invent a new way of circumventing the best antitheft device.
The following is a list of some of the more popular antitheft devices among car owners:
- The boot. This item is not just for parking enforcement officers. You can purchase these items and mount them right on your tire. Having the boot on your vehicle immobilizes the car. Only a tow truck can tow it away. You can purchase a wheel boot from your local car supplies store for about $200.
- Steering wheel lock devices such as “The Club”. These metal locks lock the steering wheel in place. However, they are not as effective these days. Because you have to mount and dismount the metal lock every time you park, people start to slack off in doing so and stop using them. You can get one of these devices very cheap for as little as $25.
- The immobilizers. This type of device focuses on immobilizing the car’s engine, fuel supply, transmission, or other critical moving part. This tool forbids somebody from being able to start or move the car. This is the same technology that law enforcement uses in their “bait” cars. The immobilizer device is more complex than a steering wheel lock and can cost anywhere from $90 to $600 to purchase one and have it installed.
- Column collars. These tools are made to prevent access to the steering column and ignition switch. However, they have to be mounted and removed every time you drive and park the car. They are bit more expensive than steering wheel locks and do not work on some car models. In most cases, they are not the best solution.
- Hardened case steel ignition lock. This item prevents car thieves from removing the lock cylinder. This item is highly effective in thwarting car theft. To buy and have one of these installed would cost you more than $150.
These are some of the items you need to minimize crime from happening to you.
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