Former FBI special agent Nicole Parker shreds vandalism against Tesla on “The Bottom Line.”
Tesla owners can activate a vehicle security measure called “Sentry Mode.” This could even be deterred or ruptured in the wake of a widespread vandalism targeting Elon Musk’s electric car company.
Sentry mode, when enabled, powers on the vehicle’s camera and sensors and is ready to record any suspicious activity that occurs nearby.
According to the owner’s manual for the Tesla Model 3, “Think of Sentry Mode as an intelligent vehicle security system that alerts you when it detects a nearby threat.”
Tesla vehicles with Sentry Mode activated will pulse their headlights, sound an alarm, display a message on the touchscreen and display a message that if a threat is detected, or if the sensor selects “jerking movements” such as towing or shaking, the camera may be logged as a warning to people outside the vehicle.
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On January 28th, 2025, the company’s dealer Tesla Model 3 in Palo Alto, California. (David Paul Morris / via Bloomberg / Getty Images)
Sentry Mode will alert the vehicle owner to the Tesla mobile app and save the video of the event to a USB drive if it is installed on the vehicle.
Tesla’s security has lit the spotlight after a nationwide incident targeting electric cars, dealers, storage lots and charging stations in mask protests that President Donald Trump tapped to lead government efficiency (DOGE). Doge was tasked with reducing wasted federal spending and fired tens of thousands of federal employees as part of the cuts.


People will take part in a protest against Elon Musk outside a Tesla dealer in Pasadena, California on March 8th. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP Via/Getty Images)
Since January 2025, Tesla electric vehicles have been targeted in at least nine states. The FBI has been targeted in at least nine states, according to incidents that include arson, firefights and vandalism, including graffiti expressing dissatisfaction with people they perceived as racist, fascist or political enemies.


Five Tesla vehicles were set on fire and were shot dead on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at a repair center in Las Vegas where police are investigating it as a “target attack.” (Hal Sparks/Story Full)
So far, three individuals have been charged in federal lawsuits after using Molotov cocktails to attack Tesla properties across the country. Each faces accusations of taking on the lowest penalty in prisons from five to up to 20 years.
Former Republican presidential candidate Elder Larry fights back against Democrats who downplay the attacks on Teslas in “Editing the Evening.”
“The days of committing crimes without consequences are over,” Attorney General Pamela Bondy said Thursday. “Let’s make this a warning. If you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla’s property, the Department of Justice will put you behind the bar.”
Tesla vehicle, charging station targeted by protesters, blames Doge, Elon Musk
Other individuals were arrested after keying a vehicle in California.
Tesla said Sentry mode helps to stop some threats, but should not be relied on to protect the vehicle from any possible security threats, adding that “security systems cannot prevent all attacks.”
ticker security last change change% tsla teslainc. 248.71+12.45+5.27%
Sentry mode, which is disabled by default, can be activated in several ways.
Owners can activate the security measure using the car’s touchscreen by entering the control panel and safety subsection. You can also use the Tesla app or activate it using the voice command “Keep Tesla Safe”.
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Tesla vehicles must park and lock and lock to become active, maintaining battery life of over 20%.