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Lock, Take, And Hide Public Awareness Program

Reducing Crime is Everyone's Business!

  1. Be Proactive!
  2. Be Smart !
  3. Don’t leave anything in your vehicle a thief can steal!

DALLAS CITY CODE CHAPTER 31, SECTION 31-41

LOCK TAKE AND HIDE ORDINANCE SEC. 31-41

(a) “An owner or person in control of property on which 100 or more parking spaces are located that are available to the public use shall post and maintain on the exterior of the property two signs complying with Subsection (b). One additional sign is required to he posted and maintained for each 50 parking spaces over 100 that are located on the property. Also, one additional sign is required to be and maintained within five feet of each clustered mailbox site located on the premises of a multifamily property, as defined in section 27-3 of this code. Any owner failing to post and maintain required signs and for the authorized removal or required signs; providing a penalty not to exceed $500.

Do you know what the top 10 stolen vehicles are?

As of 2008, the vehicles are as listed:
Car: Claims Per 1,000/Average Loss Payment Per Claim

  1. 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV: 15.0/$13,060
  2. 2005-2007 Ford F-250 SuperCrew: 13.1/$19,250
  3. 2007 Cadillac Escalade: 11.3/$14,657
  4. 2006-2007 Dodge Charger: 11/$7,047
  5. 2005-2007 Ford F-350 SuperCrew: 10.7/$20,138
  6. 2005-2007 Hummer H2 SUT: 10.0/$23,771
  7. 2005-2007 Dodge Magnum: 9.9/$8,926
  8. 2005-2007 Hummer H2: 8.7/$18,791
  9. 2005-2007 Dodge Durang 8.1/$9,682
  10. Honda S2000 Convertible: 8.1/$13,624

The Dallas Police Department

Reminds business and apartment owners throughout the City of Dallas to protect property and vehicles by placing

LOCK, TAKE and HIDE signs on your property!

In October 2001, 41% of all the offenses that occurred in the City of Dallas were auto theft and burglary of motor vehicle, (BMV) related offenses. As a result of the increase, Central Business District and Texas Auto Theft Prevention Authority teamed up and initiated a proactive crime prevention program called LOCK, TAKE and HIDE. The message was simple:

  • LOCK their cars,
  • TAKE their keys and
  • HIDE their belongings

GOAL:

The goal of this campaign was to prevent crime by reducing the criminal’s opportunity. So far in 2007, there have been 547 fewer auto related thefts, when compared to 2001.

SUCCESS:

The program was so successful, that in June, 2004, the City of Dallas enacted an ordinance that requires all properties having 100 or more parking spaces to install at least two Lock, Take and Hide signs posted and maintained on the exterior of the premises.

Statistics report most auto related offenses occur in the parking lots of apartment communities, businesses, malls, strip shopping centers, restaurants and office buildings.

The message from business leaders to citizens is clear, we care enough about our residents and patrons to remind them to …

  • LOCK their cars,
  • TAKE their keys and
  • HIDE their belongings

By following a few crime prevention tips, citizens can reduce the number of burglary of motor vehicles offenses occurring in their communities.

  • Be aware of your surroundings
  • Park in well lighted areas
  • Remove visible items from inside your cars such as:

Cash, laptops, laptop chords, handbags, wallets, credit cards, cell phones, MP3’s, brief cases, palm pilots, golf clubs, tools, CD’s, cassettes, duffel bags , back packs, dry cleaning, radar detectors, shopping bags even empty boxes!

During the Holiday Season it is especially important to leave nothing in your vehicles for criminals to steal.

 

Dallas Police Department Neighborhood Police/ Nuisance Abatement Unit
Phone: 
Fax: 
Email: dpdcrimeprevention@dpd.dallascityhall.com ​​