Our friends at krimelabb were featured on local KEYE-TV about the most likely places your car will be broken into.

Let’s get to the good stuff:

So where are the hot spots?

According to police reports from the past year, coming in at number three is the UT campus. The sheer number of faculty, staff and students who drive to the university, make it a prime target.

Coming in at number two is anywhere along the I-35 corridor. “The criminal wants to make a quick getaway. They don’t go deep into a neighborhood where they’re passing over speed bumps and stop signs,” added Darby.

And the number one spot you’re most likely to have your vehicle broken into is Burton Drive in East Austin. The area has the most apartment complexes on any street in all of Central Texas. Residents in the neighborhood are get hit all the time.

So it’s about places with lots of cars and also lots of people. The article reports most break-ins happen between 10 PM and midnight — when we’re still awake, but perhaps as many people around. And yes, under cover of darkness. Seems Sunday’s are the most popular day too.

But what causes the cars to get broken into?

“Some people don’t lock their cars,” said Austin police detective Damon Dunn.

[…]

“Mainly your electronic items because that’s what the crooks are looking for,” added detective Dunn.

I have a friend that used to work in the Maine legal system. He never locked his car doors. His take? Leave nothing in your car. Your car should be nothing but your car. Thus, there’s nothing inside for them to steal. If they do want to break in to look, having the doors unlocked means they (hopefully) won’t smash your windows — just open the door, see there’s nothing, close it and leave. If they want your car itself, he says there’s almost nothing you can do as they will take it. So to lock or not to lock isn’t so much the issue, as it is leaving things in your car that the thieves want.

I see it frequently. People at the gas station leaving their car doors open, iPod’s and phones left in the car. Expensive stereos. Then all manner of stuff in the car too: your books, gym bags, other junk. If it’s something someone else could use directly or sell, it gives them reason to try to take it.

Just because you don’t live in one of the hotspots doesn’t mean you won’t be victim. My own neighborhood has been hit, and I’m sure if you look through enough crime reports, you’ll see yours has been too. Take some time and look at the data krimelabb has compiled; you might be surprised, but more importantly, you’ll be informed.