As with many other cities, Signal Hill has been the location of a series of car burglaries. In an effort to curb criminal behavior, specifically car burglary, the Signal Hill Police Department offers the following prevention tips:
Hide your valuables. Smash-and-dash car burglars are opportunists. Keeping your valuables at home or with you is the best way to deter this criminal behavior. If you must take your valuable items with you in your car, the floors, dashboards and seats are not good places to leave them. Hide them out of sight in the trunk before you get to your location.
Park your car in a visible/high traffic area. The last thing burglars want is attention or a witness to their crime. Park your car in a crowded area.
Make burglaries difficult. Every hurdle you can provide makes it more likely that a burglar will move to an easier target. Following these simple steps can give you an added layer of security against car burglaries:
• Roll up windows completely. Even a small opening makes it much easier for a burglar to break into your vehicle.
• Lock your car doors.
• Do not leave anything valuable in plain sight.
• Activate your car alarm, and use any other security device you have available.
Know your surroundings and trust your instincts. If you see suspicious activity, find somewhere else to park. Don’t confront the suspicious person(s) but instead call the Signal Hill Police Department at (562) 989-7200 or dial 911 immediately.
