AUTO FOCUS: Thousands of cars are broken...

AUTO FOCUS: Thousands of cars are broken into every year, above, but there are ways to avoid becoming a statistic. Since many car burglars are after stereos, you can protect yourself by using pull-out stereo mounts and removing the player when your car is unoccupied, says Costa Mesa Police Detective Darell Freeman. Common sense helps too. Park in well-lighted, occupied areas and use audible alarm systems. “Burglars hate to be heard and seen,” Freeman says.

Car Burglaries Reported thefts from cars in Orange County and their value Reports in thousands ‘85: $6.6 million /16.4 ‘86: 7.2 / 17.2 ‘87: 7.9 / 16.9 ‘88: 9.6 / 19.1 ‘89: 9.0 / 20.0 ‘90*12.4 /23.4 *Estimate based on 9,700 incidents reported January through May Source: California Attorney General