Protecting your vehicle starts with the choices you make every time you park. Whether you are outside your home, heading into work or stopping at a shopping center, taking a few extra moments to secure your vehicle can help reduce opportunities for theft.

Public safety is everyone’s responsibility. The Alexandria Police Department encourages residents, businesses and visitors to Commit to it: Take it. Hide it. Remove it. Lock it. Report it.

Take it

Your keys go where you go.

Always take your keys or key fob when you leave your vehicle, even if you expect to return in just a minute. Never leave a spare key inside the vehicle or hidden on its exterior.

Turn off your vehicle before walking away. Leaving it running while picking up an order, making a delivery or warming it up on a cold morning creates an opportunity for someone to drive away. Before heading inside, check that you have your keys and that the vehicle is secure.

Hide it

Keep belongings out of sight.

Look through your windows before walking away. Are there bags on the seats, electronics in the console or packages on the floor? If you cannot take those items with you, secure them in the trunk or another concealed storage area.

Put belongings away before arriving at your destination whenever possible. Avoid moving valuables into the trunk after parking where others can watch. Concealing belongings is an added precaution; taking them with you remains the better choice.

Remove it

Bring your valuables with you.

Make it a habit to clear your vehicle of purses, wallets, phones, laptops, shopping bags and other valuables. After a busy day, it can be easy to leave a work bag behind or postpone bringing purchases inside. Take a moment to gather those items before settling in.

Check the passenger seat, back seat, floorboards and cargo area. Encourage everyone riding with you to collect their belongings, too. Keeping your vehicle clear of valuables is a useful habit wherever you park, including outside your home.

Lock it

Every door. Every time.

Close all windows and lock every door whenever you leave your vehicle. Follow the same routine whether you are parked in a driveway, garage, parking lot or on the street. A short stop still deserves a security check.

Choose a well-lit parking space whenever possible. Before walking away, confirm that your vehicle has locked instead of assuming the automatic locking feature has activated. These precautions cannot guarantee a theft will not occur, but they can help reduce opportunities.

Report it

Share what you observe.

If you see someone trying multiple vehicle door handles, tampering with a vehicle or removing property under suspicious circumstances, move to a safe location and contact police. Focus on the person’s actions when explaining your concern.

Provide the location, what you observed, descriptions of the people or vehicles involved and their direction of travel. Do not confront, follow or attempt to detain anyone.

Call 911 for an emergency or an immediate threat to safety. For non-emergency police assistance or to report a theft discovered later in the City of Alexandria, call 703.746.4444.

Commit to it Every Day

Make vehicle security part of your routine.

A daily reminder can help turn these steps into lasting habits. APD’s 9 P.M. Routine encourages residents to bring valuables and keys inside, lock vehicles and home entrances, and activate exterior lights, security cameras and alarm systems.

Set a reminder on your phone and make a final security check part of your evening. Share the routine with family members and others in your household so everyone can take part.

Public safety is everyone’s responsibility. Commit to it every time you park: Take it. Hide it. Remove it. Lock it. Report it.