Keep your car safe in public parks

You have perhaps parked your car in a public parking or on the street and found it vandalised.
At worst, you can not locate it. But you can not tell how it has vanished.
Well, street or public space parking comes with its challenges and has become a nightmare to many motorists.
Ruth Nankya has been a victim of car vandals because she had no choice but to park on the street.
“When I returned, my car had been vandalised and some valuables taken,” she says, but wonders how the suspected thieves opened it.
These are not incidents isolated. They are well spread and many people have tested the wrath of vandals and carjacks.
However, there are measures you can use to keep your car safe.

Park in well-lit spaces
Ali Rahaman is a spare parts dealer at Kiwa Auto Spares and his advice to motorists is “not to park in isolated places or dark spaces”.
Vandals, he says, take advantage of situations and isolated cars are the main targets.
Therefore, cars that are parked at night, according to Rahaman should not be isolated and should be parked under well-lit spaces.
“Car robbers or vandals will always avoid places where they can be noticed,” he says.

Do not leave valuables in the car
According to Kato, leaving important items such as laptops and cameras attracts vandals and should be taken out every time you are out of the car.
“It might be inconveniencing to move with a laptop. However, it is less costly to move with it than it being stolen,” he says and advises against leaving documents such ID and ATM cards in the car because they might be used for identity theft.

Park between other cars
Whereas many drivers want to park with relative ease, it is important that you carefully choose a spot that will give a carjack trouble if he attempted to steal your car.
According to Nankya, she learnt the hard way and says always, “I look for a spot between cars. If the thieves could open my car then it means they would steal it if they wanted”.
“I had parked at the very end of a line of cars. The thieves would just have reversed a little and driven away,” she says.

Precaution

Roll up windscreens
Some people will roll up windscreens half way or thereabout but this is dangerous because it might be easy for vandals to open your car.
Car vandals and jacks, according to Nankya, are always on the lookout and they will use any opportunity they land on.
“Leaving your windscreen even halfway open will give them the urge to open your car. Therefore, always roll them up,” she says.

Notify the guard or police
In many parking spaces, especially night ones, there is a security guard therefore, Kato advises, befriend these people.
“It will be difficult for a stranger to drive away or enter into your car. Many motorists just come park their cars and walk away. They never make friends with the guards,” he notes.
Cars, according to Kato, can be stolen from anywhere including a garage or an enclosure at home. Therefore, extra precaution should be taken for safety.
“Parking in your compound does not mean you do not take precaution. Safeguard your car every time you park it,” he says.

Do not share keys
It is common for motorists to share car keys with parking attendants. However, this is dangerous and if possible avoid it.
“Some parking attendants connive with thieves. Do not trust them. It might turn out expensive,” says Rahaman.

Fit an alarm system
No one will dare steal a car that is making noise. Therefore, Rahaman advises that car owners should fit alarm systems to notify bystanders of any intrusion.
However, he cautions, car owners not to put notifications that alert vandals of the presence of such gadgets.
“If you put stickers on your car, it will give the vandal hints of how to go about it,” he says.
Additionally, Richard Kato, a sales personnel at Ali Agencies, advises that one can opt to fit a two-way alarm that will silently notify the owner of intrusions.
“You should beware that most audible alarms have similar switch-off mechanisms and do not deter thieves. However, two-way alarms systems are difficult to notice thus giving the owner leverage over intended intrusion,” he says.

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