| In our fast paced modern living we probably don't | | | | high-crime areas. If they can't be avoided, they |
| give the practice of parking our cars as much | | | | should be within view of some dwellings; they should |
| thought as we should. As a society, we need to | | | | be outfitted with sturdy gates and should never be |
| practice common sense when we park our cars, as | | | | located near alleyways. |
| we should do in other areas of our behavior. | | | | Open car parking areas should be small and within |
| There are two categories of crimes involving the | | | | view of dwellings. Visitors' car parking areas should be |
| action of parking a car. One is property crime and the | | | | clearly identifiable, well lit, and also visible from |
| second is crime against a person. Below is a | | | | dwellings. |
| description of some crimes in both categories | | | | Rape, Assault, Robbery: |
| associated with parking cars. There are also | | | | Poorly planned parking areas increase the risk of |
| recommendations of actions we can take to lessen | | | | physical assault and robbery against the car owner |
| the chances that we become victims of crime and a | | | | and to the public. |
| statistic. | | | | To make car-parking sites safer to the car owners |
| Theft and Vandalism: | | | | and drivers, planners should provide direct access |
| The rate of theft or vandalism to cars increases in | | | | from parking areas to the entrance of dwellings. |
| poorly thought out parking designs or arrangements. | | | | Car parking sites should be no further than 60 |
| Seclusion and darkness are the best friends of auto | | | | meters from dwellings, and the path should be well lit |
| thieves and vandals. | | | | and free from shrubbery. Shrubbery that blocks the |
| Wherever possible, make available to each dwelling its | | | | view is a criminal's best friend. |
| own locked garage within the property boundaries. | | | | If it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make |
| Locked garages outside the boundaries or well-lit and | | | | sure access via car parking sites is monitored as well. |
| visible common car parking areas are the next best | | | | In high-crime areas, advanced technological |
| things. | | | | surveillance methods [CCTV, voice alarms, infrared, |
| Where private garages are not feasible, carport or | | | | etc.] may be needed in car parking areas. For |
| driveway parking is preferable to grouped parking | | | | example, an infrared unit is available which detects |
| away from dwellings. | | | | the presence of intruders [but not cats and dogs] by |
| As a rule, it is recommended that you avoid | | | | body heat, and automatically switches on all lights in |
| underground or multi-story parking garages, as they | | | | the car parking area and turns them off after 15 to |
| are breeding grounds for vandalism and crime. If they | | | | 20 minutes has passed. |
| already exist, limiting access points and providing | | | | There are very few areas of our existence that |
| them with sturdy locked gates could help minimize | | | | cannot be made safer just by applying some |
| risk. On the other hand, each resident could be | | | | common sense and following precautionary guidelines. |
| provided with a lockable garage in their own space, | | | | Make safety and self defense your first priority |
| with robust vandal proof metal doors, garages within | | | | today. Take the time to go over these guidelines |
| garages, so to speak. Or users can be provided with | | | | with all your family and set a good example. |
| a secure lock or a plastic keycard, which operates | | | | Remember, thoughts and intentions are great but |
| electronic doors or gates. | | | | nothing is done unless you take action. Don't hesitate. |
| Grouped car parking areas should be avoided in | | | | Do it. |