Hide Lock and Take Program

The Terrell Police Department has adopted the HIDE your belongings, LOCK your car, and TAKE your keys program. There are steps you can take to keep your car and belongings safe.

The Terrell Police Department is serious about crime prevention. One of the ways you can be involved is by participating in the HIDE LOCK and TAKE Program. For individuals, if you have to leave your belongings in your car, remember to always HIDE them. Always LOCK your car, even in your driveway and TAKE your keys. Never leave your car running unattended or your keys in the ignition.

If you are a business, apartment complex, or shopping center you can participate by posting signs on your property, especially at entrances to your business. It is recommended that you post 2 signs for the first 100 parking spaces and 1 sign for every 50 additional spaces. The signs can be purchased from the Hide Lock and Take website www.hidelocktake.com. The Terrell Police Department will supply brochures for you to hand out to residents and patrons.

Contact Cpl Rhitt Jackson (E-mail) at 972-551-6622 ext 292 for more information or to participate in the local Hide Lock and Take Auto Theft and Burglary prevention program.

Burglary of Motor Vehicle Prevention:

• Always lock your vehicle and close all windows.
  
• Keep all valuables and packages out of sight. Leaving valuables in plain view provides a tempting target.
  
• The most effective way to prevent becoming a victim of burglary of a motor vehicle is to make sure anything that might tempt a criminal is secured in the trunk.
  
• Don’t place your property in the trunk at the time you park and leave the vehicle. Thieves observing this action will enter your car and open the trunk to steal the property.
  
• Activate the alarm system.
  
• Always park in well-lighted areas and be familiar with your surroundings Take the keys. Over 25% of all stolen vehicles had the keys left in the vehicle.
  
• Do not exit your vehicle and leave running (review your insurance policy).
  
• Don’t hide spare keys in or under the vehicle.
  
• Use anti-theft devices. The use of devices such as a steering wheel lock, electronic alarm, an ignition kill-switch, gas cap lock, window VIN etching and a vehicle tracking device all protect your vehicle and deter vehicle theft.
  
• Document the serial numbers on all your property and/or etch some type of identifying information on the property to help locate and identify in case of theft.
  
• Never leave the registration or insurance cards in the vehicle. Thieves will be able to provide legitimate documents when stopped by the police.
  
• Report all burglary and theft offences to the police department.
• Be especially alert of activity and people in parking areas and report suspicious activity to the Terrell Police Department at 972-551-6622 or dial 911 for emergencies.