A sudden rise in reported auto theft is taking place in Prince George and the RCMP is reaching out to the community with some tips on how to keep your vehicle safe this summer.
“So far in the first two weeks of May we have seen more than a 100% increase in reported vehicle thefts. We have discussed this throughout our detachment and will be increasing enforcement efforts in the areas where we are seeing the most incidents of vehicle theft, with the goal of catching those committing these crimes,” stated Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.
Investigators noted that the most common element between the thefts was the age of the vehicles involved, with many of them being early 2000 model vehicles. Another commonality was drivers leaving their keys inside the vehicle.
Here are some tips on keeping your vehicle safe this summer:
Don’t leave your car running with the keys inside. If you want to cool your vehicle and can’t do it remotely, please stay inside the vehicle. This crime of opportunity can occur in any neighbourhood, at any time of day.
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- Keep track of your keys. Don’t leave your purse/jacket/backpack unattended – even when you’re at work. Thieves are always on the lookout for unattended belongings. Lock up your items in a locker, especially when you no longer have line-of-site on your bags. If you can’t do that, keep your keys in your pocket.
- Lock your car when you leave it. Make sure that all of your doors and windows are locked, as it only takes a few minutes for a car thief to get a vehicle running, even without the keys. Practice the 9 p.m. routine and double check your doors are locked on your car every night, either by physically going to check it or by using your fob.
- Use an anti-theft device. Make sure you set the alarm on your vehicle when you leave it. If your vehicle does not come equipped with an alarm, purchase an after-market anti-theft device like an immobilizer or a steering wheel lock, especially for those drivers of older-model vehicles.”An unsecured vehicle is an easy target for auto thieves,” said Tracey Hoffman, local ICBC Road Safety Coordinator. “Always lock your doors and use an immobilizer or steering wheel lock to reduce your risk. Don’t forget to remove any valuables including smartphones, laptops, backpacks, and packages when parking your vehicle.”
