Start the New Year Off Right - Secure Your Vehicles

Who would have thought that New Year's Day was a big opportunity for car thieves on-the-prowl to take what doesn't belong to them.  But guess what?  According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), in 2014, New Year's Day was the second biggest holiday for car thefts with 2,011 vehicles throughout the country, reported stolen.  New Year's Day came in second right behind Labor Day in which 2,200 vehicles were reported stolen.

"Every day is the right day to be sure you have locked your vehicles and removed important items from the trunk, console and glove compartment," said Kenny Ehrman, chairman of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Foundation and vice president of  CSLEA Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 77.  "As a Department of Motor Vehicles investigator, I know all too well what happens to most of these stolen vehicles.  Trust me, the owners rarely get them back, and if they do, they are damaged or stripped beyond belief.  Always make a point to secure your vehicles, keep them parked in the garage or in a well-lit area, if you have an alarm - use it."

How do the holidays rank in terms of the number of car thefts nationwide?

1.      Labor Day (2,200)

2.      New Year's Day (2,011)

3.      Halloween (2,010)

4.      Memorial Day (1,933)

5.      Independence Day (1,877)

6.      New Year's Eve (1,858)

7.      Valentine's Day (1,750)

         Christmas Eve (1,750)

8.      President's Day (1,695)

9.      Thanksgiving (1,384)

10.   Christmas Day (1,225)