As summer travel reaches its peak, public safety officials are reminding motorists that a few simple precautions can go a long way toward preventing vehicle theft.

July is recognized as National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, an annual awareness campaign sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The campaign encourages drivers to remember three easy steps: Lock it. Hide it. Hold it.

The message is simple. Drivers should lock their vehicles every time they get out, even if they plan to be away for only a few moments. If personal belongings cannot be taken along, they should be placed somewhere out of sight, such as in a locked glove compartment or trunk. Whenever possible, valuables including purses, wallets, laptops and other electronics should be taken with the owner rather than left inside the vehicle.

Safety officials say many vehicle thefts and break-ins are crimes of opportunity that can be prevented by following these basic habits.

Summer is traditionally the busiest season for vehicle thefts because warm weather often leads drivers to leave windows rolled down, doors unlocked or vehicles running while making quick stops. Authorities say leaving keys or key fobs inside a vehicle–or leaving a running vehicle unattended–continues to be one of the leading factors contributing to auto theft.

In addition to locking vehicles, NHTSA and NICB recommend always closing and securing all doors and windows, never leaving keys or key fobs inside a vehicle, avoiding unattended idling, parking in well-lit, highly visible areas and keeping valuables out of sight.

“National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month is a reminder of the impact of vehicle theft on the daily lives of Americans,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson. “Motor vehicle theft is a crime that costs Americans more than $8 billion per year. Fortunately, drivers can take precautions to reduce the risk of someone stealing their car.”

National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month was formally designated in 2007. The awareness initiative began through a partnership between the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the LoJack Corporation before being adopted and expanded by NHTSA into a nationwide public safety campaign.

Locally, Chattanooga has seen encouraging progress.

According to the Chattanooga Police Department’s 2025 Annual Report, vehicle thefts dropped from 1,214 incidents in 2024 to 783 in 2025–a 36 percent decrease. Thefts from vehicles also declined from 1,927 incidents to 1,544, a 20 percent reduction.

Overall property crime in the city decreased by 16 percent, a trend officials attribute to increased patrols, enhanced technology and targeted crime prevention initiatives.

Despite those improvements, law enforcement cautions that vehicle theft remains a significant concern. Tennessee continues to rank among the nation’s top 10 states for vehicle thefts, and studies by the Tennessee Department of Safety identify Chevrolet pickup trucks and Hyundai models among the vehicles most frequently targeted by thieves.

Police also note that Chattanooga typically experiences seasonal spikes in vehicle break-ins during the summer months.

Officials say the best defense remains consistent prevention. By remembering to lock it, hide it and hold it, drivers can help protect their vehicles, safeguard their belongings and reduce opportunities for criminals to strike.