Remember that the patrol officer cannot be everywhere at once. When reporting an incident, please do not hang up on the dispatcher until the dispatcher states that there is sufficient information to relay to the officers in the field. A vehicle in a parking lot is an inviting target for theft, vandalism or burglary. Check for loiters before leaving and when entering. Remove keys from the ignition when you leave your car, even for just a minute.
Most thefts occur when valuables are left unattended.
Virtually any article left in plain view is apt to be stolen. Most property that is stolen is left unattended or unlocked. One of the most common contributing problems concerning theft throughout the District is carelessness. Many of the victims state their property was left unattended for just a couple of minutes. All it takes is a couple of minutes for a crime to be committed.