Stopping car thieves before they take your ride

Boston police Officer Michael Santry has tracked down stolen cars all over the city in his 18 years as an auto theft investigator. But he'd rather see car owners take a few steps to avoid all the trouble and expense.

"The biggest thing is prevention," he said. "The police department doesn't want cars to get stolen."

Nationally, auto theft has dropped in the past four years. Still, according to the most recent figures available from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a car was stolen every 26 seconds in 2006. And that ends up costing everybody, Santry said, when it gets passed along as higher insurance premiums.

But take note: Thieves aren't just looking to snag hot rod sports cars. In fact, 1995 Honda Civics were the most stolen car nationwide in 2006. And, Santry noted, thieves can steal any car. "If they want your car," he said, "they'll get it."

So why not make it harder? Santry said owners should add antitheft devices to their vehicles to deter thieves. He recommends a three-prong approach: car alarms with a blinking light, visible steering wheel locks, and hidden ignition switches that prevent the car from starting. Some companies offer tracking devices that come into play once the car is stolen, but Santry prefers methods that stop the car from disappearing in the first place.

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