April is Auto Crime Enforcement Month and while theft has been declining in 麻豆精选 in recent years, the RCMP are still warning the public to log their vehicles and protect their belongings.
鈥淔rom 2023 to 2024, reported files of theft from vehicles have dropped in the City of 麻豆精选,鈥� said Sgt. Laura Pollock. 鈥淥ngoing targeted enforcement along with education pieces have assisted us in the declining numbers. Despite the shift, our Proactive Enforcement Unit continues to focus on areas of the city that have seen significant thefts in the past.鈥�
The RCMP states that the most common items stolen from vehicles in 麻豆精选 are wallets, tools, sunglasses, loose change, and charging cords. To recognize the month, officers are encouraging the public to not leave their valuables in their vehicles. Additionally, they have seven tips to protect your car:
- Always remove your keys and lock your doors;
- Don鈥檛 leave valuables in plain sight鈥攅ven small items may attract thieves;
- Never leave garage openers or spare keys in the car鈥攖hese can be used by thieves to gain access to your residence;
- Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas;
- Consider using a smart tag or similar tracking device to help locate your vehicle if it鈥檚 stolen;
- Older vehicles should use extra protection such as a steering wheel lock or immobilizer;
- Never leave cars running alone during colder months to warm them up.
Also, the police organization also supports two programs designed to continue to cut down on theft.
The first one, the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) is a provincial-wide, year-round auto crime enforcement team and is comprised of specialized investigators. The second is an educational program supported by ICBC called Lock Out Auto Crime, where volunteers inspect parking lots for vehicles with visible valuables, garage door openers, open windows or doors that are left unlocked. All vehicles that fall under the criteria are given a crime prevention notice (left on the windshield), either thanking them for securing their vehicle properly, or advising them how they can deter auto theft.
More information about protecting your vehicle can be found on the City of 麻豆精选's Community Safety Toolkit.
