Watch Your Car Program

The Watch Your Car program is a national vehicle theft prevention program funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the United States Department of Justice. It is a voluntary vehicle registration program designed to deter auto theft and assist in the apprehension of auto thieves.

Vehicle owners sign an agreement stating that their vehicle is not normally used between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. If a police officer observes the vehicle being driven anywhere in the United States during these hours, they may stop the vehicle and verify that it is being operated by the vehicle owner, or a person designated by the owner.

Program Goal

The goal of the program is to help reduce the incidence of vehicle theft in Maryland by deterrence and by arrest of automobile thieves.

Registration

Upon registration special decals will be placed on your vehicle by a police officer on your vehicles front and rear windshields. The decals serve to notify police officers across the nation that the vehicle is registered with the program. Information from the registration form will be entered into a centralized database accessible by law enforcement officers on a 24 hour basis.

To register your vehicle, stop by the Annapolis Police Department during business hours with the following:

• Your driver's license
• A current copy of your vehicle registration or vehicle title

Your vehicle will need to be physically inspected to verify the accuracy of the information on the registration form.

Additional Information

For additional information you may call the Annapolis Police Department at 410-268-9000, or call 800-96THEFT. The contact person for this program is Anna Woytko. Ms. Woytko can be reached at 410-268-9000 or alwoytko@annapolis.gov  in the Community Services Section.

10 Ways to Be Alert

1. Annapolis Police Department and you - working together - will prevent or reduce auto thefts.
2. Always roll-up the windows and sun-roof, lock the car and take the keys with you, even if you are coming right back.
3. Accept the fact, thieves can find hidden, spare car keys.
4. Avoid parking in isolated and unlit areas.
5. Act to prevent a crime, keep valuables out of sight.
6. Auto registration and driver's license should be kept with you, not in the car.
7. Anything you can do to make it more time consuming and discouraging for a thief - do it.
8. As you approach your car, have your keys ready to open the door.
9. Stay alert, if you see something that looks suspicious call 911.
10. Be especially alert in large parking lots and multi - storied garages.

Window Stickers

These two images go on cars front and rear windows: