From El Paso Inc.: Auto thefts on rise (neighborhood, fence)

[EnjoyEP]

Some of us sometimes accuse me of only posting the positives of life with the city of El Paso - just to be "fair and balanced" - I am posting one of the not-so-positive things -

Found this article in the most recent El Paso Inc. newspaper (great publication by the way) about a recent surge in auto thefts in El Paso. Not only is a thing to be aware of for El Paso, but also it is a good, interesting read.

Thought folks here might like to check it out!:

http://www.elpasoinc.com/showArticle.asp?articleId=2152 (broken link)

[Muhnay]

Some of us sometimes accuse me of only posting the negatives of life with the city of El Paso - just to be "fair and balanced" - I am posting one of the not-so-negative things -

With a bit of thought and care you can keep your car from being stolen. get a car alarm installed, use the Club. if you have a fence close and lock it. Get a fake camera online and install it so it looks like your car is being monitored. Also motion lights work wonders. El Paso has the neighborhood watch program, start one in your area of town, on your block or street.. get to know your neighbors, be active in the area. Criminals hate active areas.

Also when going to the store, note if they have a security guard, or cameras, park in site of these things. Also avoid areas that have been subject to car theft. If your a women, at night always have a clerk or store employee walk you to your car.

Car theft has always been a problem here.. its a border thing. But with some thought and action on your part, your car will be there when you return to it every day. After All According to leading ranking sites, El Paso is the 2nd Safest city in the country.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

Some of us sometimes accuse me of only posting the positives of life with the city of El Paso - just to be "fair and balanced" - I am posting one of the not-so-positive things -

Found this article in the most recent El Paso Inc. newspaper (great publication by the way) about a recent surge in auto thefts in El Paso. Not only is a thing to be aware of for El Paso, but also it is a good, interesting read.

Thought folks here might like to check it out!:

http://www.elpasoinc.com/showArticle.asp?articleId=2152 (broken link)

Definitely one of the downsides of El Paso -- auto theft, some carjackings, and high property crime.

[EnjoyEP]

I found the "top 15" list especially interesting...it appears that still easily the targets are the big 4x4s, trucks, etc., as well as Hondas. So a big part of if you are putting yourself at more of a bullseye on your vehicle or not is still obviously WHAT you drive.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

I found the "top 15" list especially interesting...it appears that still easily the targets are the big 4x4s, trucks, etc., as well as Hondas. So a big part of if you are putting yourself at more of a bullseye on your vehicle or not is still obviously WHAT you drive.

That's true. There are many cars you can drive here and never bother locking up or worrying about. An older car without a radio for example -- the most they might take are the license plates.