Buchanan County officials warn against leaving your car running unattended

By Jenna Wilson

The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents to avoid leaving their vehicles running unattended in public spaces as winter approaches.

On Friday, Dec. 13, Chief Deputy Mike Donaldson with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that a significant percentage of stolen cars—especially those taken in the winter months—result from people leaving their vehicles running unattended to warm up.

{div class=”OutlineElement Ltr SCXW204149464 BCX0”}{p class=”Paragraph SCXW204149464 BCX0” lang=”EN-US” xml_lang=”EN-US”}“It only takes a few seconds for them to drive up, hop in a car, especially one that’s left unlocked and running, and they’re gone before you know it,” Chief Deputy Donaldson said. “Once they’re gone, they have access to all your personal items, everything you’ve left in the vehicle and, at times, even your keys to your house.” {/div}

{div class=”OutlineElement Ltr SCXW204149464 BCX0”}{p class=”Paragraph SCXW204149464 BCX0” lang=”EN-US” xml_lang=”EN-US”}Older cars are often targeted for theft, according to officials. That’s because many may lack the anti-theft technology found in more modern cars, according to officials. {/div}

{div class=”OutlineElement Ltr SCXW204149464 BCX0”}{p class=”Paragraph SCXW204149464 BCX0” lang=”EN-US” xml_lang=”EN-US”}“With older cars, you typically have to leave the key in it to get it to work,” Chief Deputy Donaldson said. “I know a of people like to start it, go back in and then finish getting ready for work but if you’re going to do that please stay at a distance where you can keep an eye on it.” {/div}

{div class=”OutlineElement Ltr SCXW204149464 BCX0”}{p class=”Paragraph SCXW204149464 BCX0” lang=”EN-US” xml_lang=”EN-US”}Residents are also advised to keep valuable items out of their vehicles as much as possible, this can increase the chances of vehicles being stolen even more. {/div}

{div class=”OutlineElement Ltr SCXW204149464 BCX0”}{p class=”Paragraph SCXW204149464 BCX0” lang=”EN-US” xml_lang=”EN-US”}“People can see when cars are being warmed up from a distance so that’s going to be the most common reason they get taken,” said Chief Deputy Donaldson. “But of course they’re always looking for opportunities, too. So if you leave valuables such as, purses, laptops, or anything that looks like it might have something valuable in it, it just makes you more of a target.” {/div}

{div class=”OutlineElement Ltr SCXW204149464 BCX0”}{p class=”Paragraph SCXW204149464 BCX0” lang=”EN-US” xml_lang=”EN-US”}Officials recommend adding a steering wheel lock or installing a kill switch as effective ways to deter thieves this winter. {/div}