The Lynnwood Police Crime Prevention Unit, with help from the Volunteers in Public Safety (VIPS), will be out Tuesday morning surveying parked vehicles as part of its Car Prowl Prevention campaign.

“We will be placing a small notice on each vehicle educating folks about what we are doing and whether or not their vehicle is potentially a ‘hard target or an easy target for would-be car prowlers,” said Shannon Sessions, police spokesperson. “Help law enforcement deter theft in your community by making your vehicles a less attractive target for would-be burglars.”

Police offer these tips for avoiding car prowls:

• Keep all your doors, windows and sun roofs shut and locked.
• Install an alarm system and/or a vehicle tracking system.
• Consider using a steering wheel locking device.
• Have a locking fuel cap.
• Don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle.
• Take your keys out of the vehicle.
• Never leave a vehicle running unattended.
• Don’t leave your garage door opener in your vehicle when parked in front of your house.
• All items with personal information on them should be taken out of the vehicle.
• Park in well-lit areas and avoid isolated places.

Police say the most common items target by thieves include purses, backpacks, wallets, laptops and other electronics, sports gear, and garage door openers.