Car Stolen From East 17th Street

Neighbor Sally Moses sends this info about her car, which she reported stolen from its curbside parking spot on East 17th Street between Dorchester and Ditmas last week:

When I went out to move it for alternate side parking I couldn’t find it. I checked the website to see if it was towed or ticketed. I called the precinct and went over to report it. They sent out a couple of police officers and I filled out 3 forms for them. They told me that parts for my car are in demand, that it’s easy to break into. They said if it was taken for a joy ride I might be reunited.

It’s a ’91 Honda Accord. It looks teal blue while the official color is Met Green.

I thought I had paid my dues so to speak since my back window was broken into about 5 years ago, and last year someone broke into the passenger window and scraped off my inspection sticker.

She said that she’s started the insurance claim, but of course she’d prefer to get the car back.

A report released this week by the National Insurance Crime Bureau showed that Hondas, particularly older models, are the most stolen cars in the United States for the fourth year in a row. The 1994 Honda Accord was the most stolen car in the US in 2011, and the second most stolen in New York, after the 2000 Honda Civic.

NICB suggests a “layered approach” to prevent auto theft by helping make cars less attractive to thieves.

NICB’s four layers of protection are:

Common Sense: Lock your car and take your keys. It’s simple enough, but many thefts occur because owners make it easy for thieves to steal their cars.

Warning Device: Having and using a visible or audible warning device is another item that can ensure that your car remains where you left it.

Immobilizing Device: Generally speaking, if your vehicle can’t be started, it can’t be stolen. “Kill” switches, fuel cut-offs, and smart keys are among the devices that are extremely effective.

Tracking Device: A tracking device emits a signal to the police or to a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ “telematics,” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.

Photo of a 1991 Honda Accord (not Sally’s) via Tampa Racing.