The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office recently provided advice on how to protect your vehicle from theft, following several recent posts on the subject to local social media pages.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicle thefts across the United States declined year-over-year in 2025 by 23%. Despite the decrease, one vehicle is stolen approximately every 48 seconds. In 2025, a whopping 659,880 vehicles were stolen nationwide.
How to protect your vehicle from theft
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office recommends locking your doors, removing your keys, removing any valuables and parking in well-lit areas. Officials also suggest adding surveillance cameras and motion lights to your home.
The NICB reminds owners to roll up their windows and never leave vehicles running unattended. Automobile owners may also consider anti-theft technology, such as steering wheel locks, audible alarms and after-market GPS tracking — such as air tags.
What should I do if my vehicle is stolen?
The NICB recommends writing down the make and model of your vehicle, the color, license plate number and vehicle identification number. This information will be needed to file a police report. The bureau also reminds owners to notify their auto insurance agency.
— Cassidey Kavathas is the politics and court reporter at The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at ckavathas@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on X @cassideykava.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: OCSO reminds car owners to lock doors, remove keys to avoid theft
Reporting by Cassidey Kavathas, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Cassidey Kavathas, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
