April 23, 2015 - The Houston Police Department wants to remind you how easy it is to deter burglars from stealing items out of your vehicle.

A car break-in, known as a burglary of a motor vehicle (BMV), is the most preventable crime there is, and one in which citizens can have a direct impact on reducing.  The three words to always remember:  Take, Hide and Lock.  Take your keys, Hide your items and Lock your car doors.

Take a look at a video clip of a staged car break-in that took just five seconds, and a short interview with an HPD auto theft investigator on how motorists tend to leave items in vehicles for criminals to steal.  Both are posted on our HPD YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKQSaEpbexY

It appears many citizens are taking that advice.  In the first three months of 2015, BMVs have decreased by 20% in the city compared to the same time period last year.  

HPD has conducted numerous BMV prevention campaigns in the past few years in an effort to educate motorists on how quickly thieves can break into a vehicle and how taking easy precautions can deter those thieves.  
For quick tips on how you can help decrease car burglaries, check out our brochure on the HPD Website at https://www.houstontx.gov/police/pdfs/brochures/english/Burglary_of_Motor_Vehicle.pdf  The brochures are available in four languages.

HPD's "Help Us, Help You" campaign is aimed at sharing information and educating citizens on crime prevention and everyday tips related to public safety in our city. 




JFC/VHS   4-23-15