Avoid being a victim of a vehicle break-in!
Before leaving a parked vehicle, take the following precautions to reduce the possibility of a vehicle break-in:
- Be consistent: remove all items of value from your vehicle every time you leave it unattended. Items most attractive to thieves are stereo equipment, cell phones, purses, wallets, firearms, tools, cameras, laptops, GPS systems, shopping bags, clothing, and duffle/gym bags.
- Remove items of little or no value such as loose change, empty backpacks, laptop cords and ear buds. Thieves may think these items are in the vehicle and break in anyway.
- Never keep vehicle registrations or important papers in your vehicle. Carry these items in your purse or wallet (State law requires registrations in the vehicle while driving).
- Remove garage door openers when a vehicle is parked. Thieves can gain entry to your home if these are accessible.
- If possible, park vehicles in the garage with doors locked.
- Mount audio and cell phone equipment inconspicuously and use mountings that allow you to take the equipment with you. Visible mountings may indicate the item is stored elsewhere in the vehicle and may encourage a break-in.
- If your vehicle is parked in a carport or near the house, leave exterior lights on throughout the night. Replace lights closest to vehicles with motion detector lights.
- If parcels, purses or wallets are placed in the trunk, put them there before arriving at your destination and disable trunk releases per the vehicle owner’s manual.
- Never leave firearms in vehicles.
Illegally parked or abandoned vehicles in Albany
AMC 13.21.030 Prohibited parking areas.
(12) Upon any street, alley, public parking lot, or parking strip in the City with any vehicle or combination of vehicles which are in excess of 23 feet in length or in excess of eight feet in width between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following day and all day on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.
(13) (e) Storage or junkage or dead storage for more than 24 hours.(Ord. 5062 § 1, 1993; Ord. 4702 § 2, 1986).
AMC 13.70.010 Definitions.
(1)"Abandoned" means a vehicle left unoccupied and unclaimed; or in such a damaged or disabled or dismantled condition that the vehicle is inoperable; or not currently licensed through the Motor Vehicle Division, if such a license is required by law.
AMC 13.70.020 Abandoned vehicles prohibited.
(1) No vehicle that the Chief of Police has reason to believe is abandoned shall be parked or left standing on the right-of-way of a City street, alley, or City property for a period in excess of 24 hours.
(2) A vehicle so parked or left standing may be taken into custody by the Chief of Police and shall be held at the expense of the owner of the vehicle. The Chief of Police may use department personnel, equipment, and facilities for removal and storage of the vehicle or may hire other personnel, equipment, and facilities for that purpose. (Ord. 4971 § 1, 1991; Ord 3562 § 2, 1971).
AMC 13.36.180 Motor vehicle or recreational vehicle use for sleeping or housekeeping purposes and related parking restrictions.
It is unlawful, within the City limits, for any person to use a motor vehicle or recreational vehicle for sleeping or housekeeping purposes except as follows:
(1) Within an approved recreational vehicle park;
(2) On the premises of a private residence and with the consent of the occupant of the residence provided that such use by any number of vehicles is limited to not more than seven days in any 90-day period;
(3) Within a required front yard setback, as established by the Albany Development Code, parking of such vehicles is limited to not more than 48 hours.
(4) Within a public right-of-way, parking of self-contained recreational vehicles is limited to 48 hours.
