Town of Leesburg, Virginia
Home MenuTips to Prevent Theft from Your Work Van
1. Park Smart
- Choose well-lit, busy areas — thieves prefer dark or isolated spots.
- Back the van against a wall or fence so rear doors can’t be opened.
- If possible, park with the side door close to another vehicle or structure to block access.
2. Secure Your Tools & Equipment
- Remove tools overnight when possible — especially high-value items.
- Use lockable toolboxes secured to the interior of the van.
- Engrave or mark tools with your business name or unique ID to make them less appealing to steal and easier to identify if recovered.
- Keep an inventory list with serial numbers and photos of your tools.
3. Strengthen Van Security
- Install an alarm system or motion-activated lighting inside the cargo area.
- Use upgraded deadlocks or slam locks on all doors (factory locks are often easy to bypass).
- Add window grilles or opaque film to hide valuable equipment from view.
- Use a steering wheel lock or immobilizer as a visible deterrent.
4. Leverage Technology
- Install GPS tracking devices in both the van and valuable tools.
- Some power tool manufacturers offer Bluetooth or GPS-enabled tracking—activate those features.
- Use dash cameras or nearby surveillance to cover your parking area.
5. Report Suspicious Activity
- If you notice someone loitering near vehicles or checking door handles, call the police immediately.
- Encourage neighbors or coworkers to watch out for each other’s vehicles. Vary your parking location — don’t make it a routine spot where thieves can plan ahead.
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: 703-771-4500
