How to Prevent Auto Theft

Tracy Bezeau: Have you ever been annoyed by the repetitive honking of your neighbor's car alarm? When these anti-theft system were first introduced, everyone stopped and stared as the offended vehicle honked. Today, we tend to ignore the old school car alarms and prowling car thieves certainly aren't frightened. Randy Shipperbottom, car audio manager of East Hamilton radio is here to introduce the next generation of auto security. This is Daily Web TV. Today we are here at East Hamilton Radio and we are talking about car starters and auto security. Randy can you tell me what is the latest technology? How far have we come from the alarm going up and my neighbors going crazy and I am still sleeping and don't even know what's going on? Randy Shipperbottom: Right. Well, aside from what has always been known as security system in the past where someone strikes your vehicle and the siren goes up, some people pay attention, some people don't, maybe don't hear it. Two-way communication is now very popular with alarm systems and auto starts. And essentially what it does is it works like a pager system, providing you within range which on averages about a quarter mile. If the vehicle sounds, the alarm will still go off, but you will get a little notification on your pager system to let you know that it's been triggered. For an auto starter it's useful as well because in most cases, when you start your vehicle, you can't always see it. With the two-way system, it will send from the vehicle to the pager basically a response, telling you that the vehicle has started successfully. You can finish that cup of coffee and get on with your day knowing it's going to warm when you get there. Tracy Bezeau: When we talk about car alarms, now I am worried that the alarm is going off, but I can't get there in time and now my vehicle is stolen? Randy Shipperbottom: Right. Tracy Bezeau: What happens from there? Randy Shipperbottom: Well, in a two-way system, you're going to get a notification on your pager that it's gone off, okay. If the vehicle has been stolen, and it's gone, you are not likely to get it. The police eventually will find it. Backing up before that, you could have a tracking system put in or theft recovery system. Tracy Bezeau: Can you tell me the difference between the two of them? Randy Shipperbottom: Sure. Theft recovery is basically a device that's put in your vehicle. You don't know where it is, obviously the thief doesn't know where it is, but a second party company will monitor if the vehicle has been stolen. You will let them know it's been taken. They will find it. They will apprehend the person and the vehicle where it is in North America. Tracking system is a little bit different. That's something is a little bit more personal for yourself. You could have your vehicle text you or email you if the vehicle actually goes outside of certain zone or area. If it goes over a certain speed limit, very interesting. Tracy Bezeau: So, it's the sneaky way to keep track of our kids that are driving our cars? Randy Shipperbottom: Sure that's one way, yeah. Tracy Bezeau: When we talk about car starters, you know my concern with my car starter is I am in my kitchen. I have started my vehicle and I am getting ready to leave, can somebody steal my vehicle while it's running? Randy Shipperbottom: Very, very unlikely. The procedure when you get in the vehicle as the owner is you need to put the key in the ignition and turn it ahead to the running position before the car will allow you to put your foot on the brake and put into drive in parker. If I am a thief, and I break in, thinking I am just going to hop in the seat and drive away, the minute I touch the brake, that car is going to turn off. The key needs to be in the ignition for the vehicle to stay running while you shift in the parker drive with your foot being put on the brake. Tracy Bezeau: So I can have that reassurance of my car is warming up, but still safe. That's great to know. Where can somebody go to get more information? Randy Shipperbottom: You can visit our website, EastHamiltonRadio.on.ca Tracy Bezeau: Well, thank you very much. For more information, check out their website. I am Tracy Bezeau and you have been watching Daily Web TV.