Whenever you leave your car, remember to "Lock It and Pocket the Key." This short phrase can save lives and money.

Likewise, whenever you enter your car, and whenever you stop at a traffic signal or stop sign, be aware of your surroundings. Carjackings can occur very quickly. Keep your car locked at all times when you are inside it.

Finally, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department offers a program called "H.E.A.T" (Help Eliminate Auto Theft). If your car is not normally driven between 1 AM and 5 PM, you can register with the police and have the H.E.A.T. decal affixed to your car. Then, whenever your car is spotted on the street during those peak car-theft hours, police may stop anyone operating it and request identification and registration.

If your car is stolen or if you witness a car theft, call 9-1-1 immediately.

If your car is stolen and you are lucky enough that it is recovered, you may need to retrieve it from a towing/storage facility such as the City Tow Lot on Hall Street. The City Tow Lot payment window (as well as many private towing companies) does not accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay significant towing/storage fees by cash, check or money order. Also remember to get a receipt, so that perhaps your insurance company will reimburse those fees.