Guest Post
Sliding is the latest crime craze to hit the country today. Since the robberies take place at gas stations, drivers are on high alert as they gas up their cars at the local pumps. The following are tips on how you can avoid becoming a statistic of this high rate of crime.
1. Always Stay Alert
Crooks who are devious enough to perform this type of crime are taking the cowardly approach by not meeting their victims face to face. Since the crimes take place at a gas station and at all hours of the day or night, you need to practice extreme caution by staying alert to people or other vehicles around you.
The offender hopes to catch people off guard, with little or no security in the area and strike when a driver least expects it. Before you exit your car to fill up the gas tank, you can check the rear and side mirrors for activity and proceed with caution as you exit. If you notice anything suspicious, stay in your vehicle and immediately call your local law enforcement agency.
2. Take Your Belongings
The crime of sliding occurs when an unsuspecting drivers pulls in the gas station to fill up their gas tank or to go in the store. Many times an individual will leave their window open or doors unlocked while they quickly venture inside. The robber stays low to the ground and slides into the vehicle discreetly. Also, the criminal knows that most times, there are no security guards in place. The gas station might have surveillance cameras, but the lack of an instant security threat gives them the upper hand at committing the crime. In a matter of seconds, the offender can have your car keys, purse, wallet and other valuables that you may have left behind.
The crime can occur so fast that the victim may fail to notice anything wrong until they go to reach for their items and notice that they are missing. If you traverse inside the store, you need to take your valuables with you. Even if you’re parked right outside in front, sliding can still occur.
3. Lock Your Car
Crime statistics are on the rise, even in small cities where residents feel safe enough to leave their homes and cars unlocked. No matter if you’re going into the gas station quickly to pay for a tank of gas or purchase a newspaper, offenders of sliding can rob you blind in an instant. To protect your vehicle, and the items left inside, you need to get in the habit of locking your car.
4. Report The Problem
People can do their part in fighting crime today by staying alert and keeping a watchful on the comings and goings around them. If you see anything suspicious, you need to take proper note and call the police. Cellphones and other notebook types of devices make it easy to capture a description of the intruders, and you can snap a quick picture of the offenders before they leave.
Sliding is a serious crime that is currently on the rise in areas across the states. By taking the above precautions, you can keep your valuables safe and prevent offenders from doing this to other unsuspecting victims.
Nadine Swayne offers these safety tips because one can never be too aware of their surroundings. While doing research on sites such as http://www.bottarlaw.com/albany-personal-injury-lawyer/, she found this startling information connecting new crime waves, personal injury, and the holiday season.
Thank you for sharing this! I can’t believe people come up with more ways to hurt others !
my mom told me about this a couple weeks ago and i was shocked at how they actually got away with doing this! i was always paranoid because you’re kinda defenseless when pumping gas anyway ya know
thanks for sharing!
This is so scary, Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never heard of this before. Sounds like the start of Urban Legend! Thanks for the tips.
THESE ARE GREAT TIPS–THANKS FOR SHARING..!!
Every year around the holidays it seems like theft rises. People really do need to stay alert.
Wow, I have never heard of this. I am always leery when filling up the car especially at night time. Sometimes I take my dogs with me, they will bark and growl very loudly if someone comes near the car.
99% of the time that I go anywhere, I have my daughter with me. Thankfully, I think this acts as a deterrent to thieves because they don’t want a witness to their crime! Kids are just as useful and just as noisy as having a dog in the car! haha 🙂
Who would of thought that they would come up with a new way to take our $$$. IT made me see I need to be even more careful at the gas station. Great you shared this you could save a life to. You never know when they get caught in the act what they will do so be aware of what’s around you like you said.
It’s so important to always stay aware. It seems like those who take advantage or steal are often looking for victims that are distracted.
Glad the tips could help bring awareness to this crime actually coming back around. I remember many years ago, criminals were climbing into women’s cars in the back seat and the women had no idea, only to be brutalized down the road. Be alert for you AND others .. you never know, you may save a life!
I haven’t heard of this…thanks for the warning.
Thanks for posting. I never knew about this.
I’m so disgusted with people who do this kind of thing, or that “Knockout” game. I usually lock my doors, but will remember to always do it now.
This is so scary, I will definitely keep these tips in mind for when I am out and about.
This is really scary. The nerve of these crooks.
I had never even heard of this…..but I cant say that I’m surprised… I always lock my car when I leave it to pump gas. Scary stuff!
This has been happening for years in NYC. You can’t leave anything unattended or unlocked in NYC or it won’t be there when you get back. Sad it’s spreading across the country.
I’ve noticed that I’m much more alert to my surroundings since we have moved to a large city – hearing things like this is scary and there are signs every where around here reminding you to hide items in your vehicles and lock it up if you’re leaving them and not taking them with you.
These tips come right on time with the holiday shopping season in full swing. It so dangerous out there that it can take away the fun out of shopping for our loved ones.
Thanks for sharing Donna. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Here’s to a new week and getting back to our normal routine. :). Happy Monday!