The Yakima Police Department (YPD) is urging car owners to take a few practical steps to avoid being a victim of a car prowl.
“There has been an increase lately in the number of reported car prowls in Yakima,” said YPD Lieutenant Shawn Boyle. “Car owners can reduce the chances of their car being broken into by making it less of a target.”
Making sure your car is locked when it is parked is a simple and effective step to take to avoid being the victim of a car prowl. Not leaving valuable items in your car in plain view is another way to protect yourself. By either removing valuables from your car or locking them in your trunk when your car is parked can significantly reduce the possibility of your car being broken into.
Avoiding parking in isolated and/or poorly lit areas if possible also limits the potential of you being a victim of a car prowl.
“People can also help by reporting any suspicious activity around cars parked in their neighborhood, at their workplace, or really anywhere they might be,” said Boyle.
If people see suspicious activity near cars, they are encouraged to call 9-1-1. Information about car prowls can also be shared by calling the YPD at (509) 575-6200. Tips can be also be reported to Yakima County Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-248-9980, on the organization’s website at crimestoppersyakco.org, or through the “P3 Tips” app that can be downloaded for free at p3intel.com/.