A car left running, unlocked, and unattended. Puffers are quickly and easily stolen.
Leaving your car running, unlocked, and unattended (puffing) makes it vulnerable to theft and is illegal in some Pennsylvania municipalities. The good news is puffer theft is easy to prevent! At the mini-mart, liquor store, or in your driveway — say no to puffing.
We’re reminding you to lock up while you fill up!
Check us out at gas stations and on cars around Philadelphia.
An opportunistic thief needs only seconds to steal your car.
Lock your car, take your keys, every time.
Nearly 13,000 cars were stolen in Pennsylvania last year and nearly half were stolen from Philadelphia. Many were puffers: cars left running, unlocked, and unattended. These drivers could have avoided the headache and expense of a stolen vehicle by simply locking their car and taking their keys. Don’t be a victim of auto theft. Lock your car, take your keys, every time.
Auto theft prevention is common sense, but not common practice.
FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE TIPS to protect your vehicle and spare yourself the hassle and expense of having your car stolen.
TAKE YOUR KEYS,
EVERY TIME.
Develop good habits — consciously make the decision to double check that you have your keys as you walk away from the vehicle. No place is safe from theft, even your own driveway.
NO PUFFING: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR UNLOCKED, RUNNING AND UNATTENDED
Whether you’re just running out to grab a cup of coffee or warming up the car before leaving for work, it only takes a thief seconds to steal your car. It’s illegal to leave a car running and unattended on a public road in Pennsylvania. Some municipalities also have laws against puffing on private property.
DON’T LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR CAR. Leaving cell phones, mail, garage door openers, wallets, computers, or other valuables in the car attracts thieves. Leaving mail and sensitive information in your car also leaves you vulnerable to identity theft. Leaving your garage door opener can also invite burglary into your home. For more information, visit watchyourcar.org.
Where drivers leave their cars unlocked, running, and unattended — thieves take full advantage of the situation. And wouldn’t you know it… for every puffer, there’s a story!
ALLENTOWN, PA
The Lehigh County Auto Theft Task Force tracked down a puffer reportedly stolen from north 7th street in Allentown. The car’s owner said she “just left her car for a minute.” The thief was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident shortly after it was stolen. Police tracked down the thief and discovered a handgun in his backpack, which he admitted to stealing from a home just minutes prior. Once in custody, the suspect reportedly admitted to nine burglaries and two stolen cars.
This is only one instance of a puffer being stolen right here in PA, your very own backyard. Some of these instances have even been caught on film… well, digital “film.” You know what we mean. Check ’em out!
