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People love decorating their vehicles with decals. Take a drive, even a short one, and you’ll undoubtedly run into “13.1” decals and stickers boasting the university that the driver attended. You may also see a bumper sticker along the lines of “My child is on the honor roll at Blabbity Blah Elementry.” Well, maybe not Blabbity Blah, but you get the point. Tragically, however, advertising that information could help terrible people learn about your family and jeopardize their safety. 

An honor roll or sports team sticker might seem innocuous, but it could be broadcasting information that malicious parties can use

Parents are understandably proud of their kids. Especially when their little go-getters trot through the door with a report card brimming with As and a bumper sticker that reads “My child is on the honor roll at (insert school here).” A parent’s first inclination might be to find some prime real estate on the back of their car, truck, or SUV for that prideful sentiment. 

Tragically, however, police officers say that malicious people might be taking note of your honor roll sticker to learn about you and your family. South Bend Police Detective Brian Kendall told WSBT/WKRC about the dangers of broadcasting the information. 

“One thing that’s big with this child predator thing is you put your kid’s schools on there,” Detective Kendall said. “Well, now they know where your kids go to school and that’s obviously more personal than any kind of valuables you might have.”

It’s not just honor roll bumper stickers, either. Police warn parent drivers that sports team decals can tell criminals a lot about your habits, your frequented locations, and the presence of expensive equipment. 

“It’s great, but there’s people that have a criminal mindset that see that and they’re thinking, ‘If there is a hockey team, they’re gone at hockey practices, on the weekend for tournaments, plus hockey equipment is expensive, so they might have that stuff in the house,'” said Kendall. Remember, advertising personal information can be ammunition for malicious people.

Source: Local 12

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Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).