Car Break-Ins Down Nearly Everywhere But Charlestown

Boston Police have some good news for car-owners in most of Boston -- and some bad news for car owners in Charlestown:

Thefts from cars around the city are down eight percent compared to this time last year, but in Charlestown's district, a 38 percent increase in the number of incidents was reported.

The most commonly targeted items are tires, GPS devices, money, radios, bags and purses, personal papers and electronic devices like cell phones, iPods and chargers. 

Thefts from cars are typically “crimes of opportunity,” police said, and are the most easily preventable type of crime. To protect yourself against motor vehicle break-ins, follow these tips:

• Do NOT leave valuable items in plain sight.
• Valuable items, such as your laptop, iPod, etc. should never be left in the front or back seat of your vehicle.
• Always take your valuables with you, or move them into the trunk.
• Lock your doors and windows. Even if your window is only slightly open, it makes your car an easier target for thieves. A thief will insert a wire into a slightly open window to pop up the door lock.
• Invest in an anti-theft device. When you buy a new or used car, checking to see if it has an anti-theft device is as important as checking the engine. If there isn’t one, you should have one installed.
• If you observe any unusual activity or observe a car theft or a break-in, call 911 IMMEDIATELY