Having your vehicle stolen is a time-consuming and costly ordeal. Many products and services give owners peace of mind by helping law enforcement recover stolen cars quickly and effectively. Law enforcement uses GPS, cellphone tracking and companies like LoJack and OnStar to track down and recover vehicles in real time.
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Vehicles can be tracked by police in a number of ways. The license plate of a suspected stolen car can be entered into a database to see if it has been reported stolen. Companies like OnStar and LoJack can locate stolen vehicles via global positioning systems. These systems can help not only to recover a person's car, but also help locate fugitives who are running from a warrant.
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If a car is reported stolen or missing or suspicious activity is discovered when an officer pulls over a vehicle, the license plate can be used to help discover information about the vehicle. When a car is registered with the department of motor vehicles, it is given a specific license number. That number links to information about a specific person, including date of birth, address and criminal history. This can help to deter criminals by cross referencing what a person says with what the records show.
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OnStar is a subscription service that comes standard in some vehicles (including Chevrolet's newest cars). It consists of in-car buttons and an antenna/GPS system that allows OnStar representatives to monitor a vehicle's whereabouts at all times. The service includes "accident awareness," help with directions and in-car calling to a representative. OnStar alerts law enforcement to a stolen car's location. The latest version of OnStar can even aid in stopping vehicle theft in the first place, by shutting off the gas line or disabling the electrical system.
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Some vehicles can be tracked and recovered via cellphone paired with a subscription service. One company, AccuTracking, can turn your cellphone into a trackable object. This is done by first installing software onto a cellphone and then registering with the company. This type of tracking will not only allow law enforcement an easy way to track your vehicle, but will allow you to track your car online yourself. This can also be useful when your teenager borrows the family car.
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An installed global positioning system can track a stolen car without alerting the thief that there is a tracking device present. Some tracking methods like OnStar have visible antennae that may deter thieves. GPS systems can be hidden under seats, in consoles, glove boxes or other hidden compartments.
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